AN ACT TO amend the law CONCERNING TUITION WAIVERS and to direct the joint legislative education oversight committee to study whether to extend these tuition waivers.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Section 6 of S.L. 1997‑505 reads as rewritten:
"Section 6. This act becomes effective July 1, 2003, and applies to persons enrolled in constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and community colleges on or after that date."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 115B‑2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 115B‑2.  Tuition waiver authorized.

(a)	The constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and the community colleges as defined in G.S. 115D-2(2) shall permit the following persons to attend classes for credit or noncredit purposes without the required payment of tuition:
(1)	Legal residents of North Carolina who have attained the age of 65.
(2)	Any person who is the survivor of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or rescue squad worker killed as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty.
(3)	The spouse of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or rescue squad worker who is permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty.
(4)	Any child, if the child is at least 17 years old but not yet 23 years old, whose parent is a law enforcement officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or rescue squad worker who is permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. However, a child's eligibility for a waiver of tuition under this Chapter shall not exceed: (i) 48 months, if the child is seeking a baccalaureate degree, or (ii) if the child is not seeking a baccalaureate degree, the number of months required to complete the educational program to which the child is applying.
(b)	Persons eligible for the tuition waiver under subsection (a) of this section must meet admission and other standards considered appropriate by the educational institution. In addition, the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina shall accept these persons only on a space available basis."
SECTION 3.  G.S. 115B‑3 reads as rewritten:
"§ 115B‑3.  Rules.
The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina and the State Board of Community Colleges shall each, with respect to the institutions governed by it, promulgate rules necessary for the implementation of this Chapter."
SECTION 4.  The Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee shall study whether to extend the tuition waivers under Chapter 115B of the General Statutes. In particular, the Committee shall consider whether the waivers should be made available (i) to law enforcement officers, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, or rescue squad workers who are permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty and (ii) to their children, regardless of the age of the children either at the time of the injury or enrollment.  The Committee shall report to the General Assembly by April 15, 2004, on its findings and recommendations.
SECTION 5.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2003.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 12th day of June, 2003.

	s/	 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Richard T. Morgan
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved 12:51 p.m. this 19th day of June, 2003