COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

for

H. B. 4362


(By Delegates Mezzatesta and Williams)

(Originating in the Committee on Education)

[February 13, 2002]



A BILL to amend article two-a, 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 five; and to amend article one, chapter eighteen-c of said code by adding thereto a new section, designated section four, all relating to higher education coursework; credit for certain public service; tuition and fee exemption; study; and report.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article two-a, 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 five; and that article one, chapter eighteen-c of said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section four, all to read as follows:
CHAPTER 18B. HIGHER EDUCATION.
ARTICLE 2A. INSTITUTIONAL BOARDS OF GOVERNORS.
§18B-2A-5. Public school service program.

 Each governing board shall establish and implement a policy through which college students obtain credit toward graduation for service performed in the public schools as tutors, student advisors, and mentors to instill in public school students the benefits of postsecondary education attainment.
CHAPTER 18C. STUDENT LOANS; SCHOLARSHIPS AND STATE AID.
ARTICLE 1. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GENERALLY.

§18C-1-4. Financial aid for dual credit courses.
The higher education policy commission shall study and determine an appropriate process for allowing students enrolled in high schools in the state to concurrently enroll in post-secondary courses without cost for tuition and fee charges. The post- secondary courses include academic, vocational and certificate courses. The study shall include, but is not limited to, an examination of collaborative financing between higher and public education, and financial aid awards to high school students. The commission shall report its recommendations to the legislative oversight commission on education accountability by the December, two thousand two, interim meeting period.



§18B-2A-5 and §18C-1-4 are new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.