2006 -- H 7973

=======

LC02967

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2006

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Almeida, Slater, and Williams

     Date Introduced: April 06, 2006

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-59 of the General Laws entitled "Board of Governors for Higher

1-2

Education" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

1-3

     16-59-9.2. Tuition and fees for undocumented immigrants. – (a) All tuition or fee

1-4

schedules in effect at the Rhode Island public institutions of higher education shall provide that

1-5

the payment of tuition and fees by any student who is an undocumented immigrant and is not a

1-6

resident of the state of Rhode Island, other than a non-immigrant alien within the meaning of

1-7

paragraph (15) of subsection (a) of section 1101 of title 8 of the United States Code, shall be paid

1-8

at a rate or charge no greater than that imposed on students who are residents of this state,

1-9

provided that such student:

1-10

     (1) has attended an approved Rhode Island High School for three (3) or more years; or

1-11

     (2) has graduated from an approved Rhode Island high school or received a high school

1-12

equivalency diploma from the state of Rhode Island; or

1-13

     (3) has registered as an entering student or is currently enrolled, in an accredited public

1-14

institution of higher education in Rhode Island not earlier than the fall semester or quarter of the

1-15

2003-2004 academic year; or

1-16

     (4) has filed an affidavit with the public institution of higher education stating that such

1-17

student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file such

1-18

application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.

1-19

     (b) For purposes of this section, "resident" shall mean a person who has resided in this

2-1

state for a period of at least one (1) year and in the county, city, town, or school district, as the

2-2

case may be, for a period of at least six (6) months prior to registration at a public institution of

2-3

higher education.

2-4

     (c) The institutions of public education covered in this section shall not share the

2-5

immigration status of students or any paperwork filed within the parameters of this section with

2-6

any governmental or non-governmental agency.

2-7

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02967

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

***

3-1

     This act would allow undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to pay tuition

3-2

and fees at public higher educational institutions that are no greater than the tuition and fees paid

3-3

by Rhode Island residents. It further provides confidentiality of the immigration status of the

3-4

student and paperwork.

3-5

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02967

=======