This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 8-14-25, to the Code of West Virginia, aimed at providing tuition-free education for all certified law-enforcement officers in the state. Under this new provision, certified law-enforcement officers enrolled in various educational programs—including certificates, undergraduate degrees, master's degrees, and medical degrees—at accredited institutions in West Virginia may receive payment for their tuition and fees during their service. The Secretary of Homeland Security will establish eligibility criteria and determine payment amounts, which will be contingent upon legislative appropriations. The bill also stipulates that officers can only receive funding for one certificate, undergraduate degree, and master's degree, and limits the number of medical degree candidates to two per year.

Additionally, the bill outlines that payments for officers attending state-supported schools will not exceed the actual cost of tuition and fees, while those attending private institutions will be capped at the highest amount payable at state-supported schools. It also addresses the interaction of this funding with federally funded education programs, ensuring that total payments do not exceed the actual tuition costs. Furthermore, officers participating in the PROMISE Scholarship program may receive direct payments for tuition and fees, and all officers must commit to a minimum service obligation of one year for each year of tuition assistance received. The Secretary of Homeland Security is tasked with administering these payments and establishing necessary policies for implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-14-25