HB 307 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Summary

This Act provides a tuition waiver for victims of human trafficking who are enrolled in the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, or Delaware Technical Community College.

Bill Text

• Bill Text View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This Act establishes a tuition waiver for victims of human trafficking attending specific Delaware institutions of higher education.

• Chapter 34, Title 14

  Subchapter XVIII. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

  Creates a new subchapter to provide educational assistance specifically for victims of human trafficking.

• § 3435A

  (1) “Eligible costs” mean tuition and all mandatory fees relating to attendance at the institution. Where the institution offers room and board to its students, eligible costs include on-campus housing and a standard meal plan, which shall be made available to waiver recipients year-round, so long as the waiver recipient is registered for a sufficient number of credits in the spring and fall semesters to be eligible for on-campus housing.

  Defines 'eligible costs' that can be covered by the tuition waiver, including tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans.

• § 3435A

  (3) “Victim of human trafficking” means an individual who is the victim of an offense defined in § 787 of Title 11, or any equivalent provision in the laws of any other state, the United States, any territory, district, or subdivision of the United States, or any foreign jurisdiction regardless of whether a perpetrator is identified, apprehended, prosecuted, or convicted.

  Defines what constitutes a 'victim of human trafficking' for eligibility purposes.

• § 3436A

  (a) An institution of higher education shall award a tuition waiver to victims of human trafficking that are enrolled in an institution. To qualify for a tuition waiver, the student must be a Delaware resident.

  Mandates that specific institutions provide tuition waivers to eligible victims of human trafficking who are Delaware residents.

• § 3436A

  (b) The amount of the waiver shall be total eligible costs of attending the institution, less any grants or scholarships the individual receives. The tuition waiver shall be awarded for up to 5 years if the individual is enrolled full-time.

  Establishes the terms under which the tuition waiver is granted, including duration and the calculation of the waiver amount.

• § 3436A

  (c) The student must apply for all appropriate forms of financial aid for which the student is eligible and shall have accepted all such financial assistance offered or awarded to the student, except for loans.

  Requires students to apply for and accept other financial aid to qualify for the tuition waiver, excluding loans.

• § 3437A

  (a) The Department of Justice shall work with institutions in approving applications for a tuition waiver under this subchapter.

  Assigns the Department of Justice the responsibility to collaborate with educational institutions in the administration of the tuition waiver.

• § 3437A

  (b) The institution shall designate an appropriate staff person as the point of contact for students applying for the tuition waiver.

  Requires institutions to appoint a staff member to assist students with the tuition waiver application process.

Action History

1. February 29, 2024

   Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House

Sponsors

• John "Jack" Walsh · Primary
• David P. Sokola · Primary
• Brian Pettyjohn · Primary
• Trey Paradee · Primary
• Franklin D. Cooke · Primary
• Lyndon D. Yearick · Primary
• Eric Morrison · Primary
• Spiros Mantzavinos · Primary
• Russell Huxtable · Primary
• Laura V. Sturgeon · Primary
• Michael F. Smith · Primary
• Nicole Poore · Primary
• Kimberly Williams · Primary
• Paul S. Baumbach · Primary
• Sherry Dorsey Walker · Primary
• Sarah McBride · Primary
• Sean Matthews · Primary
• Peter C. Schwartzkopf · Primary

Subjects