Veterans' Affairs Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6483
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN OF MEMBERS OF
THE ARMED FORCES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
Title: A PURPLE STAR SCHOOL PROGRAM.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/23/2021
File No.: 267
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Veterans' Affairs Committee
Rep. Christine Conley, 40th Dist.
Rep. Patrick S. Boyd, 50th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill allows military orders to be accepted as proof of residency for children in military
families and establishes a Purple Star School Program that offers targeted supports to
military-connected students. As military service members are routinely reassigned to new
duty stations in the summer, it is crucial for families to be able to register their children in the
appropriate school system using the information they have available at the time, so that the
children can begin school on time. To assist with these transitions, sending a military-
connected child to a Purple Star School lets them know that the school is equipped to support
the social and emotional wellbeing of children adjusting to new schools and the absence of a
parent during deployment.
In addition, when determining federal funding awards, the Department of Defense considers
factors including military student transition procedures. This bill increases potential federal
funding to defense facilities and programs in Connecticut.
***Proposed Substitute Language: In line 14, strike "and" and insert in lieu thereof "or" so that
families do not have to provide both military orders directing the service member to the state
and documents Boards of Education may require, but only one or the other.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None expressed.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Christopher R. Arnold, Northeast Region Liaison, United States Department of Defense-State
Liaison Office: Support for this bill was expressed in written and spoken testimony. Testimony
focused on the how this legislation is in line with Department of Defense best practices and is
crucial to supporting military families. He stated, "with each move, military service members
face numerous challenges as they bring their spouses and children to resettle into new
communities and attend new schools. Mobile military students face issues such as gaps and
overlaps in curriculum, different graduation requirements, course placement disruption, and
many other hurdles when changing schools. Besides the academic issues, these students
also face social and emotional challenges of relocation, such as leaving supportive social
networks and activities, to start new again."
John L. Ballantyne, Colonel, US Army (Retired), Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, Military Child Education Coalition: Support from this bill was expressed in written
testimony and focused on the Purple Star Schools portion of the legislation. He referenced a
study that was done by the Center for Public Research and Leadership at Columbia
University, which found that the Purple Star Schools Program in its first three years has
"already gained traction and motivated hundreds of schools and scores of districts to improve
services for military-connected students and families."
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed
Reported by: Erica Byrne, Clerk Date: March 25, 2021
Page 2 of 2 HB-6483