This bill amends West Virginia Code 18B-10-7 to expand the tuition and fee waivers available at state institutions of higher education for certain military veterans, their spouses, and dependents. The bill introduces new provisions that allow waivers for individuals who are residents of West Virginia and have been rated with a 90% or greater service-connected disability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as for their spouses and dependent children. Additionally, it includes waivers for the spouses and dependent children of military personnel who were killed in action, died while in service, are missing in action, or whose death is connected to their military service.

The bill also clarifies existing provisions regarding waivers for the children and spouses of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty, as well as for National Guard and reserve personnel. It removes the requirement that these military members must have been killed in the line of duty to qualify for the waiver. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that any waivers granted are subject to certain conditions, such as the availability of classroom space and the recipient's academic progress. The amendments are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and the governing boards of the institutions are tasked with implementing the new rules accordingly.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18B-10-7
Committee Substitute: 18B-10-7