Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 429-B is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 429-B

TUITION WAIVER AT STATE POSTSECONDARY

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR ACTIVE DUTY

MILITARY PERSONNEL

§12591.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Eligible program of study.__"Eligible program of study" means an associate degree program.

2.__State postsecondary educational institution.__"State postsecondary educational institution" means an institution within the University of Maine System or the Maine Technical College System.

§12592.__Tuition waiver

Any person who meets the requirements of subsection 1 may attend, as provided in this section, an eligible program of study at any state postsecondary educational institution free of tuition charges.

1.__Eligibility.__A person is eligible for a tuition waiver under this chapter if the person is:

A.__A resident of the State;

B.__An active duty member of the military service; and

C.__Stationed in the State.

2.__Continuation.__The tuition waiver provided by this chapter is awarded on a yearly basis and continues to be available, if the person is otherwise eligible under this section, as long as the person remains in good academic standing at a state postsecondary educational institution.

3.__Revenue deduction.__A state postsecondary educational institution shall absorb the reduction in tuition revenues that results from providing a tuition waiver to an eligible person under this chapter.__The institution may not request additional