A02204 Summary:

BILL NO    A02204 

SAME AS    Same as S 2944

SPONSOR    Morelle (MS)

COSPNSR    Gordon

MLTSPNSR   Koon, Perry

Add S669-e, Ed L

Provides tuition awards to children of firefighters, police officers, volunteer
firefighters, and EMTs with permanent and total disabilities, to be applied to
any college or university in the state university system or the city university
of New York; provides that the award is for tuition, less other aid, and is
limited to 4 or 5 academic years.

A02204 Actions:

BILL NO    A02204 

01/15/2009 referred to higher education
01/06/2010 referred to higher education

A02204 Votes:

A02204 Memo:

 BILL NUMBER:  A2204

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
providing tuition awards to children of firefighters, police officers,
volunteer firefighters, and emergency medical technicians with
permanent and total disabilities


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL : This legislation would provide
tuition awards to children of firefighters, volunteer firefighters,
police officers, and emergency medical technicians with permanent and
total disabilities.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS : The education law is amended by
adding a new section 669-e which provides tuition awards for children
of firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians
with permanent and total disabilities.

Eligibility: Child whose parent is a firefighter, police officer or
emergency medical technician who is eligible for permanent and total
disability benefits, shall be eligible for a tuition award to be made
available by the president of the higher education services
corporation.  Amount shall be equal to the cost of undergraduate
tuition, offset by any other financial assistance or award received.
Duration should not exceed more than eight semesters, equivalent to
four years of academic study, or ten semesters if the undergraduate
program requires five years of academic study.

 JUSTIFICATION : Few occupational efforts are as selfless and more
important than being a firefighter, volunteer firefighter, police
officer, or emergency medical technician. The individuals who serve in
these capacities ensure not only our public safety but also preserve
our quality of life.

The work of these individuals is dangerous. Every time they go to
work, they place their very lives in peril. The hazards they face are
real and substantial, and their bravery, training and commitment are
the principal factors of their survival and success.

Our state must recognize the importance of the service of our
uniformed public servants. We must recognize their service and stand
prepared to assist their spouses and children when, in the course of
the performance of their service to the community, they are injured
and become permanently and totally disabled.

This bill would recognize and reward the service of our state's
firemen, police officers and emergency medical technicians by
providing tuition awards to children of firefighters, police officers
and emergency medical technicians with permanent and total
disabilities.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
A.9672/S.5999-A of 2004.
A.2687-B/S.1978-B of 2005-2006.
A.372/S.591 of 2007-2008. Passed Senate.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect on the first of July next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.