ENGROSSED

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

FOR

Senate Bill No. 187

(By Senators Hunter, Minard, Redd, Edgell, Fanning, Jackson,

Snyder, Unger, Kessler, Prezioso, Ross, Plymale, Walker,

Bailey, Dittmar, Sharpe, Oliverio, Mitchell, Love, Ball,

McCabe, Deem, Minear, Anderson, Bowman, Wooton, Sprouse and



Tomblin, Mr. President)


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[Originating in the Committee on Education;

reported February 12, 1999.]

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A BILL to amend article ten, chapter eighteen-b of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section seven-a, relating to establishing programs at state institutions of higher education allowing residents who are at least sixty-five years old to audit, or take for credit, classes at reduced rates.


Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article ten, chapter eighteen-b of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section seven-a, to read as follows:.
ARTICLE 10. FEES AND OTHER MONEYS COLLECTED AT STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
ยง18B-10-7a. Tuition and fee waivers or adjustments for residents at least sixty-five years old.;

The board of trustees and the board of directors shall promulgate a joint rule in accordance with article three-a, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code that establishes a reduced tuition and fee program for senior citizens. The joint rule shall include at least the following:
(a) The program shall include one option for those who attend undergraduate and graduate courses without receiving credit and one option for individuals who attend undergraduate and graduate courses for credit;
(b) A participant under either option of the program shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The participant is a resident of West Virginia;
(2) The participant is sixty-five years of age or older;
(3) Classroom space is available; and
(4) The instructor of the class consents;
(c) For participants in the program under the no credit option:
(1) A grade or credit may not be given;
(2) A method of establishing priority for allowing a participant to attend a class or course shall be established;
(3) The total tuition and fees charged for each course or class, excluding laboratory and parking fees, may not exceed fifty dollars: Provided, That after the first day of July, two thousand four, the governing boards may by joint rule change the maximum fee;
(4) The participant may be required to pay special fees, including laboratory fees, if the fees are required of all other students; and
(5) The participant may be required to pay for parking; and
(d) For participants in the program under the for credit option, tuition and fee rates may not exceed fifty percent of the normal rates charged to state residents by the institution.