The bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 15A-1-10, which establishes a program for tuition and fee payments for certified law-enforcement officers pursuing higher education. Under this program, eligible officers can receive funding for one certificate, one undergraduate degree, and one master's degree, with a limit of two officers per year eligible for funding for a doctorate degree. The Secretary of Homeland Security is tasked with setting the eligibility criteria and administering the program, which is contingent upon legislative appropriations.

Additionally, the bill outlines the payment structure, stating that the amount for state-supported schools will not exceed the actual tuition costs, while payments for private schools will be capped at the highest amount payable at any state-supported institution. It also includes provisions for reducing payments if recipients qualify for other grants and scholarships, establishes a service requirement of one year for each year of tuition paid, and mandates recoupment of funds if the service requirement is not met. The bill defines a certified law-enforcement officer as one certified by the Law-Enforcement Professional Standards Subcommittee.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-2-57
Committee Substitute: 15A-1-10