summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/24/2026
02/24/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Servicemember Education Rights Veneration Act. Requires institutions of higher education (institution) to accommodate service member student's academic military leave and grant prompt readmission when the service member student has not exceeded a cumulative academic military leave period beyond 5 years, provides advance notice of academic military leave to the institution, and provides notice of intent to return to the institution. Requires the institution to readmit a service member student on academic military leave into the next class, classes, or academic year division following the receipt of the notice of intent to return in accordance with the terms of the accommodation. Contains provisions on exemptions to readmission and related reporting requirements on service member students; investigations by the Attorney General's appointed ISERRA Advocate on whether a readmission exemption exists; and other matters. Requires service member students to provide advance notice of pending military service and prohibits institutions from imposing conditions for academic military leave not otherwise imposed under the Act. Contains provisions on military accommodation; academic obligations of service member students; reimbursement for school expenses; academic withdrawal due to military service; rejection of accommodation and the institution's burden of proof; a 5-year military service limitation; records documentation; advance notice requirements on service member students; notice of intent to return; anti-discrimination protections; academic leave for the spouses of servicemembers; Attorney General enforcement authority; remedies; rulemaking authority; and other matters.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Servicemember Education Rights Veneration Act (SERVE Act), aims to protect the academic pursuits of service member students by requiring institutions of higher education to provide reasonable accommodations for academic military leave and ensure prompt readmission. Key provisions include mandating that institutions accommodate a service member student's academic military leave and grant readmission if the student has not exceeded five cumulative years of such leave, has provided advance notice of their military service, and gives notice of their intent to return. The bill also prohibits institutions from imposing conditions for academic military leave that are not otherwise required by law, and it outlines specific definitions for terms like "academic military leave" (any absence for military service), "academic status" (a student's academic standing, program, and progress), and "accommodation" (mutually agreed-upon modifications to coursework). Furthermore, it addresses readmission exemptions, such as dishonorable discharge, and establishes reporting requirements and investigative powers for the Attorney General's ISERRA Advocate. The Act also includes provisions for military spouses, reimbursement for school expenses upon withdrawal due to military service, and anti-discrimination protections for those associated with military service, with the Attorney General empowered to enforce the Act through civil actions, penalties, and remedies.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Higher Education Committee Hearing (09:00:00 3/4/2026 Room 400) (on 03/04/2026)
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