BILL NUMBER:  S4726

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
regents awards for children of deceased police officers, firefighters
and volunteer firefighters

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: :  This bill would establish a
tuition grant program for the children of deceased police officers,
firefighters and correction officers.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: :  This bill would amend the
education law, to provide that every child of a deceased police
officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter or correction officer,
shall be eligible to receive an annual scholarship award equal to the
amount of the annual tuition at a State University of New York, for
each of not more than four academic years of undergraduate study, or
for five academic years, if a program normally requires five years, as
defined by the commissioner of education.

 JUSTIFICATION: :  Presently, the education law, provides that every
child of a deceased police officer, fireman, volunteer firefighter and
correction officer, shall be eligible to receive an annual scholarship
award of four hundred fifty dollars for each of not more than four
academic years of undergraduate study or five academic years if a
program normally requires five years.

              

This bill would increase this $450 to the full amount of tuition at a
State University of New York. Few occupational efforts are as selfless
or more important than being a police officer, a fireman, a volunteer
firefighter or a correction officer.

The individuals who serve in these capacities ensure not only our
public safety but also preserve our quality of life. They represent
the personal embodiment of bravery, community service and civic
commitment. Without their dedicated efforts, countless lives and
property would be jeopardized and imperiled.

The work of these individuals is dangerous. Every time they go to
work, they place their very lives in peril. The hazards they face are
real and substantial, and their bravery, training and commitment are
the principal factors of their survival and success.

Our state must recognize the importance of the service of our
uniformed public servants. We must recognize and commend them for all
the protection they provide. We must especially, however, stand
prepared to assist their spouses and children when, in the course of
the performance of such service, they are killed in the line of duty.

This bill would recognize and reward the service of our state's police
officers, firemen, volunteer firefighters and correction officers, by
permitting their children to be awarded an annual scholarship grant
equal to the annual cost of a State University of New York school
year, when such child's uniformed public servant parent is killed in
the line of duty. In so doing, this bill would not only recognize the
public sacrifice made by these dedicated men and women, but also help
their surviving children by assisting them to obtain a college
education.

By increasing this benefit from a $450 annual scholarship, to cover
the entire annual cost of tuition at a State University of New York,
this bill would ensure that the children of these brave individuals
would not have to sacrifice their education as well as lose a parent.

It should be noted that this bill would also provide a valuable
recruitment and retention incentive for police officers, firemen,
volunteer firefighters and correction officers, since it would
guarantee that if they are subject to a horrible tragedy in which they
lose their life in the line of duty, they can at least have the repose
that their children will have their college education paid for.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: :  2008 - S.3111 Referred to Standing
Committee on Higher Education.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: :  The increase in cost to the state would
depend on the number of police officers, firemen, volunteer
firefighters and correction officers killed in the line of duty,
whether they have children, and whether those children choose to
attend college.

 EFFECTIVE DATE: :  This act would take effect immediately.