Report Title:

DOE; Veterans; High School Diploma

 

Description:

Directs the department of education to establish a program to award veterans high school diplomas to armed services veterans drafted during World War II, Korean conflict, or Vietnam War, as well as to those whose schooling was interrupted due to wartime practices.  (CD1)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

618

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

C.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  Over the years, many young Americans have had their education interrupted or curtailed due to compulsory induction into the military during times of conflict or war.  Others have had their schooling interrupted due to wartime practices, such as the internment of Japanese and Japanese-Americans during World War II.

     The purpose of this Act is to direct the department of education to establish a program to grant veterans high school diplomas to veterans of the armed services who could not complete their high school education due to compulsory service in the armed services of the United States during World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam War, as well as those who did not complete high school because of wartime practices.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Veterans high school diploma for armed services veterans and others.  (a)  The department shall establish a program to award a veterans high school diploma to qualified veterans who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory induction into active service in the armed services of the United States.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, a "qualified veteran" is a person who:

     (1)  Was a resident of the State;

     (2)  Was compulsorily inducted into the armed services of the United States between:

          (A)  December 1, 1941, and August 30, 1945;

          (B)  June 1, 1950, and July 31, 1953; or

          (C)  August 1, 1964, and January 31, 1973;

          while attending or enrolled in a high school in the State; provided that the department may consider extending these time periods through rules adopted under chapter 91; and

     (3)  Did not complete a high school curriculum and receive a high school diploma.

     (c)  The department shall also award a veterans high school diploma to any person whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices such as internment during World War II.

     (d)  Qualified persons shall submit to the department, on forms that the department shall prescribe, information establishing eligibility for the award of a veterans high school diploma under this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.