FirstHB1004_H_APP.001 RegularNOT SessionAMENDED Seventy-firstHOUSE GeneralCOMMITTEE Assembly STATE OF COLORADOREFERENCE REENGROSSEDREPORT This_______________________________ VersionApril Includes4, All2017 AmendmentsChairman Adoptedof inCommittee theDate HouseCommittee ofon IntroductionAppropriations. LLS NO.

17-0646.01After Britaconsideration Darlingon x2241the HOUSEmerits, BILLthe 17-1004Committee HOUSErecommends SPONSORSHIPthe Michaelsonfollowing: Jenet and Danielson, SENATE SPONSORSHIP Hill and Garcia, House Committees Senate Committees Education Appropriations A BILL FOR AN ACT C ONCERNING A STATEWIDE POLICY FOR AWARDING COLLEGE CREDIT FOR MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING .

BillHB17-1004 Summarybe (Note:referred to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation.

This** summary*** applies** to*** this** bill*HB1004_H_APP.001* as introduced and does notreflectanyamendmentsthatmaybesubsequentlyadopted.Ifthisbill e n passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that m 7 applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at E n 0 U U , http://leg.colorado.gov.) O i i H a p ThebillrequirestheColoradocommissiononhighereducation,in R A r consultation with state institutions of higher education, to create a 3 statewide metric for awarding college credit for measurable military education and training that is applicable to the completion of a postsecondary degree or certificate.

Beginning in the 2018-19 academic i a 1 year, institutions of higher education shall award credit for military E e 2 U d 4, O 2 r Shading denotes HOUSE amendment.

Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.

H d A Capital letters indicate new material to be added to existing statute.

d Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute.

e A education and training pursuant to the statewide metric.

During the regular legislative session prior to its implementation, the department of higher education shall report to the general assembly on the statewide metric for military credit.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION1.

Legislativedeclaration.(1) Thegeneralassembly finds and declares that:

(a) Many Coloradans currently serve in the Armed Forces, and Colorado is home to more than 400,000 veterans;

(b) These members of our community spend significant time receiving training and education for jobs serving our country and safeguarding our freedom and liberty;

(c) The Armed Forces invest taxpayer dollars to provide high-quality education and training to service members;

(d) Upon separation from the military, former service members are offered a GI bill;

(e) The GI bill generally covers only thirty-six months of education, and guidance targeted to veterans is necessary to ensure the optimal use of these limited GI benefits;

and (f) Veterans face an increased risk of poverty and failure to complete their postsecondary education if they are placed in college courseswithoutappropriaterecognitionofcollege-levellearningacquired while in the militaryand targeted guidance from the institution to ensure that GIbillbenefitsareusedeffectivelytocompleteachosenprogramof study.

(2) Now, therefore, by requiring state institutions of higher education to adopt a policyforawardingcreditfor college-level learning -2- 1004 acquired in the military and provide appropriate guidance to veterans, Coloradocanensureaneasierpathwaytocareerandfinancialsuccessfor our veterans.

SECTION 2.

In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-5-144 as follows:

23-5-144.

Credit for military education and training - policy -repeal.(1) SUSEDINTHISSECTION ,UNLESSTHECONTEXTOTHERWISE REQUIRES,"STATEINSTITUTIONOFHIGHEREDUCATION "OR "INSTITUTIO" HASTHESAMEMEANINGASPROVIDEDINSECTION 23-18-102(10)EXCEPT THAT "STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION" OR "INSTITUTIO" INCLUDES EACH LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE THAT IS PART OF A LOCAL COLLEGEDISTRICTORGANIZEDPURSUANTTOARTICLE 71OFTHISTITLE23 ANDTHE AREATECHNICALCOLLEGES ,ASDEFINEDINSECTION 23-60-103.

(2) ONORBEFORE ANUARY 1,2018,EACHGOVERNINGBOARDOF ASTATEINSTITUTIONOFHIGHEREDUCATIONSHALLADOPT ,MAKEPUBLIC , AND IMPLEMENT A PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT POLICY FOR AWARDING ACADEMIC CREDIT FOR COLLEGE LEVEL LEARNING ACQUIRED WHILE IN THE MILITARY.

HE POLICY ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD MUST REQUIRE EACH CAMPUS OF THE INSTITUTION :O (a) USE THE A MERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION S RECOMMENDATIONSONTHE JOINT SERVICESTRANSCRIPT ,AMONGOTHER FACTORS ,TO EVALUATE COLLEGE LEVEL LEARNING ACQUIRED BY A STUDENT WHILE IN THE MILITARY AND , AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CAMPUS ,ASSIGN APPROPRIATE PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT CRED;T (b) PROVIDE SPECIFIC GUIDANCE TO ACTIVE DUTY AND VETERAN MILITARY MEMBERS IN SELECTING A PROGRAM OF STUDY AND IN OPTIMIZING THE USE OF PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT CREDIT TO -3- 1004 ACCELERATE THE STUDENT S PATH TO DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE COMPLETION IN THE CHOSEN PROGRAM OF STUDY;AND (c) ACCEPT IN TRANSFER FROM WITHIN THE INSTITUTION AND FROMOTHERSTATEINSTITUTIONSOFHIGHEREDUCATIONPRIORLEARNING ASSESSMENT CREDIT AWARDED FOR COURSES WITH GUARANTEED TRANSFERDESIGNATION .EACHCAMPUSMAYALSOACCEPT OTHER PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT CREDIT TOWARD THE STUDENT S PROGRAM OF STUDY IF THE CREDIT MEETS STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE CAMPUS .

(3) THE STATE INSTITUTION OFHIGHEREDUCATION SHALLGRANT PRIORLEARNINGASSESSMENTCREDITFREE OFTUITIONBUT MAYCHARGE A REASONABLE FEE FOR THE PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMEN.

(4)(a) DURINGTHE 2018REGULARSESSION ,THEDEPARTMENTOF HIGHER EDUCATION SHALL REPORT TO THE EDUCATION AND STATE , VETERANS ,AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , OR ANY SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES , REGARDING THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INSTITUTION' POLICIES ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTI.N (b) THIS SUBSECTION(4IS REPEALED,EFFECTIVEJULY 1, 2019.

SECTION 3.

Safety clause.

The general assemblyherebyfinds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.

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