Bill > S2696

Introduced Session

This bill requires public institutions of higher education to award academic credit to certain volunteer emergency responders. Under the bill, a public institution of higher education is to award academic credit to a volunteer emergency responder enrolled in the institution, provided that: (1) the student is enrolled in an undergraduate degree-granting program; (2) the volunteer service was performed within five years before the student's initial enrollment in the institution or is being performed concurrently with the student's enrollment in the institution; (3) the student provides proof to the institution of the number of volunteer hours performed; (4) the student volunteered with a volunteer fire company, duly incorporated first aid, rescue, or ambulance squad, or a county or municipal volunteer Office of Emergency Management, provided the student's official duties include responding to a fire or emergency call; and (5) the student held the appropriate certificate while performing the volunteer service, as applicable. Pursuant to the bill, academic credit is to be awarded commensurate with the number of hours the student served as a volunteer emergency responder and the credits are to be applied toward relevant coursework offered by the institution. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to develop credit recommendations for a public institution of higher education to award academic credit as required under the bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Kristin Corrado (R)*,  Bob Singer (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 02/12/2024)

Official Document