ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session
	Senate: MAPS DP 7-0-0-0 | APPROP DP 9-1-0-0 | 3^rd Read 22-5-0-3 House: MAPS DP 15-0-0-0

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SB 1174: tuition; family; posttraumatic stress; suicide

Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19

House Engrossed

Overview

Grants eligibility for tuition wavier scholarships (TWSs) to spouses and children of veterans, peace officers or firefighters who die by suicide caused by a posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI). 

History

A TWS covers the full cost of tuition, at a university governed by the Arizona Board of Regents or at a community college district, for eligible persons.

Under current law, the children and spouses of those who were killed in the line of duty, while in the following positions, are eligible for a TWS:

1) peace officer;

2) correctional officer;

3) firefighter;

4) emergency paramedic;

5) national guard member; or

6) member of the United States armed forces (A.R.S. § 15-1808).

A TWS recipient who is a child of one of the outlined individuals must not be more than 30 years old, and a TWS recipient who was a spouse must not be remarried. A TWS may not cover more than the number of credits necessary for a baccalaureate degree (A.R.S. § 15-1808).

Provisions

1. Broadens eligibility for a TWS to include an individual who is the child or spouse of a person who:

a) was a veteran, peace officer, firefighter or member of the armed forces;

b) was a resident of Arizona at the time of death;

c) suffered a PTSI; and 

d) died by suicide. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies that the person who committed suicide is not required to have been employed as a peace officer or firefighter, or serving on active military duty, at the time of death. (Sec. 1)

3. Asserts, beginning July 1, 2023, that a spouse or child may qualify for the TWS regardless of the date that the PTSI was suffered or the suicide was committed. (Sec. 2)

4. Entitles a spouse or child who qualifies for the TWS, and paid tuition in the 2023-2024 or 2024-2025 school years, to be reimbursed for the tuition paid in an amount equal to what the TWS would award. (Sec. 2)

5. Contains a retroactivity clause of July 1, 2023. (Sec. 3)  

6. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

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10.                   SB 1174

11. Initials NM          Page 0 House Engrossed

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