HOUSE BILL 508

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Borrego and Tara L. Lujan

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; ENACTING A SECTION OF CHAPTER 21 NMSA 1978; PROVIDING THAT THE CHILDREN OF FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE EMPLOYED BY STATE AGENCIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, COUNTIES OR MUNICIPALITIES SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE IN-STATE RESIDENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING TUITION OR FEES AT STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; REQUIRING RULEMAKING; PROVIDING A DEFINITION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 21 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] RESIDENT TUITION FOR CHILDREN OF FIRST RESPONDERS EMPLOYED BY GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.--

          A. A child of a first responder who is employed by a state agency, an educational institution, a county or a municipality shall be deemed an in-state resident for purposes of determining tuition and fees at all state institutions of higher learning; provided that the student shall submit proof of the student's relationship to a first responder on forms and in a manner that the higher education department shall determine by rule.

          B. As used in this section "first responder" means a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, a paramedic or other emergency medical services provider who works in a field personnel position."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2023.

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