The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 15E, the following chapter:-

CHAPTER 15F

STUDENT VETERANS

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:--

“Active duty”, full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. sections 1209 and 1211.

Section 2. This chapter shall apply to all postsecondary institutions in the commonwealth including (i) the system of public institutions of higher education, as defined in section 5 of chapter 15A; (ii) private occupation schools, as defined in section 263 of chapter 112; and (iii) private colleges, universities or other institutions of higher learning. 

Section 3.  No student at a postsecondary institution shall incur academic or financial penalties by virtue of performing military service on behalf of the United States.  A student who enrolls in but is unable to complete an academic course because he or she is called to, or enlists in, active duty shall be permitted the option of completing the course at a later date without penalty or withdrawing from the course with a full refund of fees and tuition paid  If the academic course is no longer available upon the student’s return from active duty, the student shall be permitted the option of completing a replacement course for equivalent credit without penalty or withdrawing from the original course with a full refund of fees and tuition paid.  If the student chooses to withdraw from the course, the student’s record shall reflect that the withdrawal is due to active military service.

Section 4.  (a)  There shall be a commission on student veterans which shall consist of 7 persons as follows: 1 of whom shall be the commissioner of the department of higher education, or a designee; 1 of whom shall be the director of the division of professional licensure, or a designee who shall be from the office of private occupational school education; 2 persons appointed by the secretary of veterans’ services; 1 person appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 person appointed by the president of the senate; and 1 person appointed by the governor.  Members of the commission shall be citizens of the commonwealth who have demonstrated a commitment to student veterans. 

(b)  Members shall serve terms of 2 years. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the original appointing authority for the balance of the unexpired term.

(c)  The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for any usual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(d)  The commission shall be a resource to the commonwealth on issues affecting student veterans. In furtherance of that responsibility, the commission shall establish regulations regarding students who are called to, or enlist in, active duty.  Such regulations shall be promulgated within one year after passage of this act.