HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	972
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to college service corps.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The mission of the Peace Corps includes providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand American culture, and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries.  Former Peace Corps volunteers are eligible for tuition reduction or full scholarships at various master's and doctoral programs in the United States.

     The purpose of this measure is to encourage recent high school graduates to volunteer for a similar corps program in Hawaii by providing educational benefits to individuals who have successfully completed a Hawaii college services corps program.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§304A-   Hawaii college service corps program. (a)  There is established the Hawaii college service corps program to be placed within the University of Hawaii for administrative purposes.  The purpose of the program shall be to encourage recent high school graduates to participate in college service corps programs by rewarding those individuals with tuition waivers and college credit for subsequent enrollment in schools within the University of Hawaii system.

(b)  Each full year of successful participation in a qualifying college service corps program shall qualify the participant for four semesters of tuition waivers.  No participant shall earn more than eight semesters of tuition waivers pursuant to this section.

(c)  Each month of successful participation in a qualifying college service corps program shall earn the participant one credit hour, or equivalent thereof, up to a maximum of twenty-four credit hours.

(d)  Tuition waivers and credit hours shall apply to an associate's or bachelor's degree at a school within the University of Hawaii system.

(e)  The university of Hawaii may seek private donations to offset the costs of providing tuition waivers pursuant to this section."

     Section 3.  No later than July 1, 2018, the University of Hawaii shall publish a list of college service corps programs that qualify for tuition waivers and college credit pursuant to this Act.  In establishing the list of qualified college service corps programs, the University of Hawaii:

     (1)  Shall consult with the department of land and natural resources, division of conservation and resources enforcement, in determining the feasibility of establishing patrol assignments as a qualified college service corps program;

     (2)  Shall consult with the department of education in determining the feasibility of alleviating teacher shortages by establishing teaching assistant positions as a qualified college service corps program; and

     (3)  May consult with other government entities, including other departments and the counties, in determining the feasibility of establishing assignments, internships, or positions as a qualified college service corps program.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

College Service Corps; University of Hawaii

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii college service corps to provide recent high school graduates with tuition waivers and college credit for participation in qualifying college service corps programs.

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