Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

 

Committee Amendment Adopted and Amended

April 29, 2026

 

H. 3453

 

Introduced by Reps. Rose, Pope, Spann-Wilder and J. Moore

 

S. Printed 4/29/26--S.

Read the first time May 7, 2025

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-111-20, RELATING TO FREE TUITION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS' CHILDREN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A VETERAN'S CHILD QUALIFIES FOR FREE TUITION IF THAT CHILD HAS BEEN A RESIDENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE BIRTH.

    Amend Title To Conform

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 59-111-20 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 59-111-20. (A) A child of a wartime veteran, upon application to and approval by the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs, may be admitted to any state-supported college, university, or post high school technical education institution free of tuition so long as his work and conduct is satisfactory to the governing body of the institution, if the veteran was a resident of this State at the time of entry into service and during service or has been a resident of this State for at least one year and still resides in this State or, if the veteran is deceased, resided in this State for one year before his death, and provided and if one of the following is met:

    (1) the veteran was a resident of this State at the time of entry into service and during service;

    (2) the veteran has been a resident of this State for at least one year and still resides in this State;

    (3) the veteran is deceased and resided in this State for one year before his death; or

    (4) the veteran's child has been a resident of this State since birth.

(B) Additionally, the veteran must have served honorably in a branch of the military service of the United States during a war period, as those periods are defined by Section 101 of Title 38 of the United States Code and:

       (1) was killed in action;

       (2) died from other causes while in the service;

       (3) died of disease or disability resulting from service;

       (4) was a prisoner of war as defined by Congress or Presidential proclamation during such war period;

       (5) is permanently and totally disabled, as determined by the Veterans Administration from any cause;

       (6) has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor;

       (7) is missing in action;

       (8) the applicant is the child of a deceased veteran who qualified under items (4) and (5);  or

       (9) has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

    (B) The provisions of this section apply to a child of a veteran who meets the residency requirements of Chapter 112 of this title, is twenty-six years of age or younger, and is pursuing any type of undergraduate degree.

 

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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