SB 4: "An Act relating to applying military education, training, and service credit to occupational licensing and certain postsecondary education and employment training requirements; providing for a temporary occupational license for qualified military service members; and providing for an effective date."
00 SENATE BILL NO. 4 01 "An Act relating to applying military education, training, and service credit to 02 occupational licensing and certain postsecondary education and employment training 03 requirements; providing for a temporary occupational license for qualified military 04 service members; and providing for an effective date." 05 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 06 * Section 1. AS 08.01 is amended by adding a new section to read: 07 Sec. 08.01.064. Military education, training, and service credit; temporary 08 license. (a) Notwithstanding another provision of law, the department or applicable 09 board shall accept military education, training, and service as equivalent to some or all 10 of the qualifications otherwise required of an applicant for a license or certificate 11 issued under this chapter if the applicant provides satisfactory evidence of successful 12 completion of the education, training, or service as a member of the armed forces of 13 the United States, the United States Reserves, the National Guard of any state, the 14 Military Reserves of any state, or the Naval Militia of any state.
01 (b) If the department or applicable board is otherwise authorized to issue a 02 temporary license or certificate, the department or applicable board shall issue a 03 temporary license or certificate to a person who 04 (1) applies to the department or relevant board in a manner prescribed 05 by the department or board; 06 (2) meets the requirements in AS 08.01.063(a)(3) - (6); and 07 (3) while on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or any 08 state, as described in (a) of this section, 09 (A) held a current license or certificate in another state, district, 10 or territory of the United States and has practiced in the area of the license or 11 certificate; or 12 (B) was awarded a degree, diploma, or certificate by a branch 13 of the armed forces of the United States or any state, as described in (a) of this 14 section, that met standards for an equivalent license or a certificate of technical 15 training. 16 (c) The department or applicable board shall expedite the issuance of a license 17 under (b) of this section. 18 (d) A temporary license or certificate issued under (b) of this section is valid 19 for 180 days and may be extended at the discretion of the department or applicable 20 board for one additional 180-day period if the holder of the license or certificate 21 applies for an extension on a form approved by the department or applicable board. 22 (e) The department or applicable board may adopt regulations necessary to 23 implement this section. 24 * Sec. 2. AS 14.40.210 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 25 (c) The president of the University of Alaska shall implement a policy and 26 procedure for the acceptance of academic credit toward a degree or technical program 27 offered by the university if an applicant provides satisfactory evidence of successful 28 completion of relevant military education, training, or service as a member of the 29 armed forces of the United States, the United States Reserves, the National Guard of 30 any state, the Military Reserves of any state, or the Naval Militia of any state. 31 * Sec. 3. AS 14.48.060(b) is amended to read:
01 (b) A postsecondary educational institution must be maintained and operated, 02 or, in the case of a new institution must demonstrate that it can be maintained and 03 operated so that 04 (1) the quality and content of each course or program of instruction, 05 training, or study are such as may reasonably and adequately achieve the stated 06 objective for which the course or program is offered; 07 (2) the institution has or has access to adequate space, equipment, 08 instructional materials, and personnel where applicable to achieve the stated objective 09 of the course or program of study and to provide education of good quality; 10 (3) the education or experience qualifications of directors, 11 administrators, supervisors, and instructors are such as may reasonably ensure that the 12 students will receive education consistent with the objectives of the course or program 13 of study; 14 (4) the institution provides a catalog or brochure containing 15 information describing the programs offered, program objectives, length of program, 16 schedule of tuition, fees, and all other charges and expenses necessary for completion 17 of the course of study, cancellation and refund policies, and other material facts 18 concerning the institution and the program or course of instruction that are reasonably 19 likely to affect the decision of the student to enroll, together with any other disclosures 20 specified by the commission by regulation; and that this information is provided to 21 prospective students before enrollment; 22 (5) upon satisfactory completion of training, the student is given 23 appropriate educational credentials by the institution, indicating that the course of 24 instruction or study has been satisfactorily completed by the student; 25 (6) adequate records are maintained by the institution to show 26 attendance, progress, or grades, and that satisfactory standards are enforced relating to 27 attendance, progress, and performance; 28 (7) the institution is maintained and operated in compliance with all 29 pertinent ordinances and laws relating to the safety and health of persons on [UPON] 30 the premises of the institution; 31 (8) the institution is financially sound and capable of fulfilling its
01 commitments to students; 02 (9) neither the institution nor its agents engage in advertising, sales, 03 collection, credit, or other practices which are false, deceptive, misleading, or unfair; 04 (10) the chief executive officer, trustees, directors, owners, 05 administrators, supervisors, staff, and instructors of the institution are of good 06 reputation and character and have not been convicted of a violation of AS 14.48.020 07 or 14.48.150 or AS 45.50.471 - 45.50.561 or a comparable law in another state or 08 province; 09 (11) the student housing owned, maintained, or approved by the 10 institution is appropriate, safe, and adequate; 11 (12) the institution has a fair and equitable cancellation and refund 12 policy; [AND] 13 (13) the charges set by the institution for tuition, fees, books, and 14 supplies are fair and equitable; and 15 (14) the institution accepts military education, training, or service 16 credit or hours toward a degree or technical program offered by the institution if 17 (A) the institution otherwise accepts transfer credits or 18 hours; and 19 (B) the credit or hours transfer process meets the 20 requirements of the accrediting body of the institution or the commission. 21 * Sec. 4. AS 23.15.820(a) is amended to read: 22 (a) The Alaska Workforce Investment Board shall 23 (1) administer the Alaska technical and vocational education program 24 established in AS 23.15.820 - 23.15.850; 25 (2) facilitate the development of a statewide policy for a coordinated 26 and effective technical and vocational education training system in this state and, to 27 the extent authorized by federal and state law, plan and coordinate federal, state, and 28 local efforts in technical and vocational education programs; 29 (3) adopt regulations under AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) 30 to carry out the purposes of AS 23.15.820 - 23.15.850, including regulations that set 31 standards for the percentage of a grant that may be used for administrative costs; the
01 regulations must clearly identify and distinguish between expenses that may be 02 included in administrative costs and those that may not be included in administrative 03 costs; the percentage allowed for administrative costs may not exceed the lesser of five 04 percent or the amount permitted under the requirements of a federal program, if 05 applicable; 06 (4) administer the grant program under AS 23.15.840 and establish 07 grant administration requirements including accounting procedures that apply to 08 qualified entities and their grantees; 09 (5) facilitate the development and implementation of a statewide 10 policy and procedure that provides for the acceptance of credit or hours toward a 11 degree or technical program offered by a vocational or technical training center 12 in the state for an applicant who provides satisfactory evidence of successful 13 completion of relevant military education, training, or service as a member of the 14 armed forces of the United States, the United States Reserves, the National 15 Guard of any state, the Military Reserves of any state, or the Naval Militia of any 16 state. 17 * Sec. 5. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 18 read: 19 MILITARY EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND SERVICE CREDIT: TRANSITION. 20 The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and applicable 21 boards may immediately adopt regulations necessary to implement AS 08.01.064, added by 22 sec. 1 of this Act, except that the effective date of the regulations may not be earlier than the 23 effective date of secs. 1 - 4 of this Act. 24 * Sec. 6. Sections 1 - 4 of this Act take effect December 31, 2013. 25 * Sec. 7. Section 5 of this Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).