H.S. DIPLOMA TO VIETNAM ERA VETS                                                      S.B. 389 (S-1):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

Senate Bill 389 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Judy K. Emmons

Committee:  Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security

CONTENT

The bill would amend Public Act 181 of 2001, which authorizes school boards to award high school diplomas to certain World War II and Korean war veterans, to permit school boards also to award high school diplomas to certain Vietnam era veterans.  The bill also would delete the minimum age requirement for awarding diplomas under the Act.

The Act permits the board of a school district to award a high school diploma to a "qualified military veteran", which means a veteran who meets all of the following criteria:

-- Before graduation from high school, he or she enlisted in, or was drafted into, the armed forces during World War II between December 16, 1940, and December 31, 1946, or during the Korean conflict between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955.

-- Is at least 65 years old, if living, or had attained 65 years, if deceased.

-- Did not graduate from high school.

-- Served under honorable conditions during World War II or the Korean conflict. 

-- Was enrolled, at the time he or she was drafted or enlisted, in a high school in the district to which the application for a diploma is made.

The bill would include in the definition of "qualified military veteran" a veteran who served during the Vietnam era between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975.  The bill also would delete the requirement that the veteran be at least 65 or have attained that age, if deceased.  The remaining conditions that apply to a World War II or Korean war veteran also would apply to a Vietnam era veteran.

MCL 35.341                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  6-5-13                                              Fiscal Analyst:  Kathryn Summers

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.