Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa)
announced that legislation she sponsored enacting the Interstate Compact on Education Opportunities for Military
Children in New York State was signed into law.
The
legislation seeks to ease some of the challenges faced by military families
when transferring to new schools. It also holds down college costs for
veterans, provides burial assistance for families of veterans who die as a
result of combat-related injuries and simplifies transfers of professional
licenses for military family members, including those required for realtors.
“The
families of the brave men and women who serve our country shouldn’t be
penalized for the frequent relocations that come with military life,”
Assemblywoman Russell said. “If this legislation can remove one point of stress
or make life just a little bit easier for our service members and their
families, then it has been well worth the effort.”
The
compact will help ensure uniform treatment of military children transferring
between school districts and states by:
·
requiring a student’s transcripts
and immunization records be made readily available to the new school;
·
helping to make it possible for
students to graduate on time by providing alternative means of completing
required coursework;
·
ensuring no local tuition would be
charged to a transferring student whose parent serves in the military; and
·
ensuring that a child may continue
attending school in a district after their military parent has transferred out
of the district.
Further,
the legislation will allow veterans attending a community college, college or
university in the SUNY or CUNY systems under the GI bills to qualify for the
in-state tuition rate. Assemblywoman Russell noted that this will make
attending college and obtaining a degree more affordable for returning veterans.
Additionally,
the measure will allow families of service members from New York, who were
wounded in combat but died as a result of their wounds outside of the combat
zone, to qualify for the supplemental burial allowance. This provision will
help cover expensive funeral and burial costs.
This
legislation will also make it possible for military family members who hold out-of-state
licenses to qualify for a New York State license in certain occupations or
professions that are licensed by the Department of State. This will enable
military household members to continue their practices as real estate brokers,
cosmetologists or barbers should they relocate to New York State.
-30-