HB1382: HB1382 Education; institutions grant academic credit to active duty military or veteran students based on military service; maintain policies

26 LC 61 0379 House Bill 1382 By: Representatives Gisler of the 121st, Bonner of the 73rd, Jackson of the 68th, Scott of the 76th, and Davis of the 87th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to1 encourage the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and authorize the State2 Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to maintain policies for institutions and3 units of each system to grant academic credit to active duty military or veteran students based4 on military service; to encourage and authorize the use of joint service transcripts and related5 credit recommendations; to encourage and authorize the developm ent of a guide in6 collaboration with the Department of Veterans Service for certa in students; to provide for7 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9 SECTION 1.10 Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to education, is amended in Part 2 of Article11 2 of Chapter 3, relating to university system, by revising Code Section 20-3-69, which is12 reserved, as follows:13 "20-3-69.14 (a) The board is encouraged to maintain a policy by which inst itutions of the university15 system shall grant academic credit to active duty military or veteran students for college16 H. B. 1382 - 1 - 26 LC 61 0379 level learning acquired prior to enrollment from military service; provided, however, that17 the training and experience obtained through such military serv ice shall be substantially18 related to the coursework for which any such academic credit is granted.19 (b) For the purpose of developing such policy and awarding academic credit pursuant to20 this Code section, the board shall be authorized to utilize joint service transcripts issued by21 the United States Department of Defense and credit recommendati ons made by an22 organization which evaluates military courses and occupations t o make such23 recommendations.24 (c) The board, in collaboration with the Department of Veteran s Service, shall be25 authorized to develop and make available to the public a guide for active duty military and26 veteran students and prospective students that includes courses for which students may be27 awarded academic credit based on military service. Reserved."28 SECTION 2.29 Said title is further amended in Article 2 of Chapter 4, relati ng to technical and adult30 education, by revising Code section 20-4-38, relating to academic credit for military training31 and experience, as follows:32 "20-4-38.33 (a) The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia shall maintain a policy34 by which institutions of the Technical College System of Georgi a shall grant academic35 credit to active duty military or veteran students for college level learning acquired prior36 to enrollment from military service; provided, however, that th e training and experience37 obtained through such military service shall be substantially related to the coursework for38 which any such academic credit is granted.39 (b) For the purpose of developing such policy and awarding academic credit pursuant to40 this Code section, the state board shall be authorized to utili ze joint service transcripts41 issued by the United States Department of Defense and credit recommendations made by42 H. B. 1382 - 2 - 26 LC 61 0379 an organization which evaluates military courses and occupation s to make such43 recommendations.44 (c) The state board, in collaboration with the Department of V eterans Service, shall be45 authorized to develop and make available to the public a guide for active duty military and46 veteran students and prospective students that includes courses for which students may be47 awarded academic credit based on military service."48 SECTION 3.49 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.50 H. B. 1382 - 3 -