S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                 552--A

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 7, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  PARKER, AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed,
  and when printed to be committed to the Committee on  Veterans,  Home-
  land  Security and Military Affairs -- recommitted to the Committee on
  Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs  in  accordance  with
  Senate  Rule  6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
  reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the "NY Cares
  Act"

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the "NY Cares
Act".
  S 2. The education law is amended by adding a  new  section  669-h  to
read as follows:
  S  669-H.  COURSE CREDIT FOR SERVICE MEMBERS.  1. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS
SECTION, THE TERM "SERVICE MEMBER" MEANS A PERSON, MALE OR  FEMALE,  WHO
IS  A  LEGAL RESIDENT OF THIS STATE, AS DEFINED BY 50 U.S.C. SECTION 595
WHO HAS SERVED IN THE ACTIVE MILITARY, NAVAL SERVICE, NATIONAL GUARD AND
RESERVE SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OR OF THE STATE DURING A WAR, EXPE-
DITION, OCCUPATION OF AN AREA  OR  TERRITORY,  BATTLE,  SKIRMISH,  RAID,
INVASION,  REBELLION,  INSURRECTION,  GUERILLA ACTION, RIOT IN WHICH THE
UNITED STATES WAS ENGAGED WITH A HOSTILE OR BELLIGERENT NATION, FACTION,
FORCE, OR TERRORISTS AND WHO HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM SUCH SERVICE BY  ANY
MEANS  OF  AN HONORABLE OR GENERAL DISCHARGE, OR WHO HAS BEEN FURLOUGHED
TO THE RESERVE.
  2. EVERY SERVICE MEMBER SHALL UPON APPLICATION  AND  APPROVAL  OF  THE
CHANCELLOR,  OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, BE GRANTED ACADEMIC CREDITS TOWARDS
HIS OR HER DEGREE FOR THE COMPLETION OF COURSES THAT WERE A PART OF SUCH
SERVICE MEMBER'S MILITARY TRAINING, SERVICE AND FOR MILITARY  EXPERIENCE
RECEIVED.  IN DETERMINING THE APPROVAL OF SUCH SERVICE MEMBER'S APPLICA-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD03709-02-6

S. 552--A                           2

TION, THE CHANCELLOR, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, SHALL CONSIDER THE  STAND-
ARDS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  COUNCIL  ON EDUCATION. NO FEE, TUITION OR OTHER
CHARGE SHALL BE ASSESSED AGAINST A SERVICE MEMBER WHO QUALIFIES FOR SUCH
CREDIT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  3. THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY UNIVER-
SITY  OF  NEW YORK MAY PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS AS ARE NECESSARY
TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
  S 3. The education law is amended by adding a new article 15-D to read
as follows:
                              ARTICLE 15-D
                    COURSE CREDIT FOR SERVICE MEMBERS
SECTION 730. COURSE CREDIT FOR SERVICE MEMBERS.
  S 730. COURSE CREDIT FOR SERVICE MEMBERS.  1.  FOR  PURPOSES  OF  THIS
SECTION, THE TERM "SERVICE MEMBER" MEANS A PERSON, MALE OR FEMALE, RESI-
DENT  OF THIS STATE, AS DEFINED BY 50 U.S.C. SECTION 595, WHO HAS SERVED
IN THE ACTIVE  MILITARY,  NAVAL  SERVICE,  NATIONAL  GUARD  AND  RESERVE
MEMBERS  OF  THE UNITED STATES OR OF THE STATE DURING A WAR, EXPEDITION,
OCCUPATION OF AN AREA OR TERRITORY, BATTLE,  SKIRMISH,  RAID,  INVASION,
REBELLION,  INSURRECTION,  GUERILLA  ACTION,  RIOT  IN  WHICH THE UNITED
STATES WAS ENGAGED WITH A HOSTILE OR BELLIGERENT NATION, FACTION, FORCE,
OR TERRORISTS AND HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM SUCH SERVICE BY ANY MEANS OF AN
HONORABLE OR GENERAL DISCHARGE, OR HAS BEEN FURLOUGHED TO THE RESERVE.
  2. EVERY SERVICE MEMBER AT AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER  EDUCATION  RECOG-
NIZED  AND  APPROVED BY THE REGENTS, SHALL UPON APPLICATION AND APPROVAL
OF THE GOVERNING BOARD, OR HIS OR  HER  DESIGNEE,  BE  GRANTED  ACADEMIC
CREDITS  TOWARDS  HIS  OR  HER DEGREE FOR THE COMPLETION OF COURSES THAT
WERE PART OF SUCH SERVICE MEMBER'S MILITARY TRAINING,  SERVICE  AND  FOR
MILITARY  EXPERIENCE  RECEIVED.  IN  DETERMINING  THE  APPROVAL  OF SUCH
SERVICE MEMBER'S APPLICATION, THE GOVERNING BOARD, OR HIS OR HER  DESIG-
NEE,  SHALL CONSIDER THE STANDARDS OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION.
NO FEE, TUITION OR OTHER CHARGE SHALL  BE  ASSESSED  AGAINST  A  SERVICE
MEMBER WHO QUALIFIES FOR SUCH CREDIT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  3.  THE  GOVERNING BOARD OF THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION RECOG-
NIZED AND APPROVED BY THE REGENTS MAY PROMULGATE RULES  AND  REGULATIONS
AS ARE NECESSARY TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
  S  4.  The  education  law is amended by adding a new section 237-a to
read as follows:
  S 237-A. COORDINATION BETWEEN MILITARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION. 1.    THE
REGENTS  SHALL  DEVELOP,  JOINTLY  WITH  THE STATE DIRECTOR OF VETERANS'
AFFAIRS, A PROGRAM TO FACILITATE COORDINATION BETWEEN  PARTICIPATION  IN
THE  MILITARY,  NAVAL,  NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE SERVICE OF THE UNITED
STATES OR OF THE STATE AND ADMISSION TO ANY INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCA-
TION, RECOGNIZED AND APPROVED BY THE REGENTS. THE REGENTS AND THE DIREC-
TOR SHALL IDENTIFY, REVIEW AND EVALUATE PROFESSIONAL  TRAINING  PROGRAMS
OFFERED  AND  MILITARY,  NAVAL,  NATIONAL  GUARD  AND RESERVE EXPERIENCE
OBTAINED THROUGH SUCH SERVICE, WHICH MAY, WHERE APPLICABLE, BE  ACCEPTED
BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR COURSE CREDIT.
  2. THE REGENTS SHALL CREATE A SYSTEM-WIDE WEBSITE WHICH CAN BE USED TO
DETERMINE  WHAT  PROGRAMS AND UNIVERSITIES SERVICE MEMBERS ARE QUALIFIED
FOR BASED ON THEIR BRANCH OF SERVICE, TRAINING EXPERIENCE AND RANK.
  S 5. The education law is amended by adding a  new  section  237-b  to
read as follows:
  S  237-B.  NY  CARES BRIDGE COURSES. 1. THE REGENTS SHALL REQUIRE THAT
ALL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION  RECOGNIZED  AND  APPROVED  BY  THE
REGENTS DEVELOP, JOINTLY WITH THE STATE DIRECTOR OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS, A
PROGRAM  OF  COURSES  TO  FACILITATE  THE TRANSITION OF MILITARY, NAVAL,

S. 552--A                           3

NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE SERVICE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED  STATES  OR  OF
THE  STATE  INTO  ALL  INSTITUTIONS  OF  HIGHER EDUCATION RECOGNIZED AND
APPROVED BY THE REGENTS. THESE COURSES  SHALL  PROVIDE  SERVICE  MEMBERS
WITH:
  (A) AN ACCELERATED AND FOCUSED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY;
  (B) AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION;
  (C) FAMILIARITY WITH A COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT AND FACILITIES; AND
  (D) ACCESS TO TUTORING AND MENTORING.
  2.  THE GOVERNING BOARD OF EACH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION RECOG-
NIZED AND APPROVED BY THE REGENTS SHALL MAKE THESE COURSES AVAILABLE  AT
THEIR  RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS AND SHALL EMPLOY MILITARY TRAINED COUNSE-
LORS TO ADMINISTER AND FACILITATE THIS PROGRAM.
  S 6. The education law is amended by adding a  new  section  669-c  to
read as follows:
  S  669-C.  TUITION AWARDS FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF DECEASED SERVICE
MEMBERS.  THE PRESIDENT OF THE  HIGHER  EDUCATION  SERVICES  CORPORATION
SHALL  MAKE  AVAILABLE  TO THE SPOUSES OR CHILDREN OF A DECEASED SERVICE
MEMBER AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION,  A  TUITION  AWARD
THAT  MAY  BE  APPLIED  TO ANY COLLEGE OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE STATE
UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK SYSTEM, ANY UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW  YORK,
OR THE UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
  1.  FOR  PURPOSES  OF  THIS SECTION, THE TERM "SERVICE MEMBER" MEANS A
PERSON, MALE OR FEMALE, RESIDENT OF THIS STATE, WHO HAS  SERVED  IN  THE
ACTIVE  MILITARY,  NAVAL  SERVICE, NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MEMBERS OF
THE UNITED STATES DURING A WAR, EXPEDITION, OCCUPATION  OF  AN  AREA  OR
TERRITORY,  BATTLE,  SKIRMISH,  RAID, INVASION, REBELLION, INSURRECTION,
GUERILLA ACTION, RIOT IN WHICH THE UNITED  STATES  WAS  ENGAGED  WITH  A
HOSTILE OR BELLIGERENT NATION, FACTION, FORCE, OR TERRORISTS AND WHO WAS
A  LEGAL RESIDENT OF NEW YORK STATE AT THE TIME OF HIS OR HER DEMISE AND
WHO DIED OR DIES WHILE SO SERVING.
  2. A TUITION AWARD GRANTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE  NO  MORE  THAN
THE COST OF UNDERGRADUATE TUITION, OFFSET BY ANY OTHER FINANCIAL ASSIST-
ANCE  OR AWARD RECEIVED.  IF A TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) AWARD OR
A REGENTS AWARD IS ALSO RECEIVED, THE COMBINED ACADEMIC YEAR AWARD SHALL
NOT EXCEED TUITION.
  3. NO RECIPIENT OF A TUITION AWARD UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL RECEIVE  A
TUITION  AWARD  FOR MORE THAN EIGHT SEMESTERS OF FULL TIME UNDERGRADUATE
STUDY, OR THE EQUIVALENT OF FOUR ACADEMIC YEARS, OR, IF AN UNDERGRADUATE
PROGRAM NORMALLY REQUIRES FIVE ACADEMIC YEARS OF FULL  TIME  STUDY,  FOR
MORE  THAN  TEN  SEMESTERS OF FULL TIME STUDY, OR THE EQUIVALENT OF FIVE
ACADEMIC YEARS. "FULL TIME STUDY" SHALL MEAN ENROLLMENT  FOR  MORE  THAN
TWELVE  SEMESTER  HOURS  PER SEMESTER, OR THE EQUIVALENT, IN AN APPROVED
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM.
  4. NO RECIPIENT OF A TUITION AWARD UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL RECEIVE  A
TUITION AWARD FOR MORE THAN SIXTEEN SEMESTERS OF PART TIME UNDERGRADUATE
STUDY, OR THE EQUIVALENT OF EIGHT ACADEMIC YEARS OF PART TIME STUDY, OR,
IF  AN  UNDERGRADUATE  PROGRAM  NORMALLY REQUIRES FIVE ACADEMIC YEARS OF
FULL TIME STUDY, FOR MORE THAN TWENTY SEMESTERS OF PART TIME  STUDY,  OR
THE  EQUIVALENT  OF  TEN  ACADEMIC  YEARS.  "PART TIME STUDY" SHALL MEAN
ENROLLMENT FOR AT LEAST THREE BUT LESS THAN TWELVE  SEMESTER  HOURS  PER
SEMESTER, OR THE EQUIVALENT, IN AN APPROVED UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM.
  S  7. The education law is amended by adding a new section 115 to read
as follows:
  S 115. MULTI-STATE COLLABORATIVE ON MILITARY CREDIT. THE COLLABORATIVE
FOR HIGHER EDUCATION FOR SERVICE MEMBERS  IS  HEREBY  ENTERED  INTO  AND

S. 552--A                           4

ENACTED  INTO LAW WITH ALL JURISDICTIONS LEGALLY JOINING THEREIN, IN THE
FORM SUBSTANTIALLY AS FOLLOWS:
               MULTI-STATE COLLABORATIVE ON MILITARY CREDIT
  WHEREAS,  STATES,  ESPECIALLY STATE HIGHER EDUCATION AGENCIES, NEED TO
WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER TO BETTER MEET  THE  HIGHER  EDUCATION  NEEDS  OF
RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND
  WHEREAS,  THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT  NEEDS TO WORK IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP
WITH STATES TO BETTER MEET  THE  HIGHER  EDUCATION  NEEDS  OF  RETURNING
SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND
  WHEREAS, STATES NEED TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON MILITARY CREDIT
THAT  HAVE  BEEN  DEVELOPED  BY  THE AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (ACE)
UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE,
  THE STATES AFFIRM THE NEED FOR CLOSE AND CONTINUING CONSULTATION AMONG
OUR SEVERAL STATES ON MATTERS OF HIGHER EDUCATION  RELATING  TO  SERVICE
MEMBERS, AND DO HEREBY ESTABLISH THIS COLLABORATIVE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
FOR SERVICE MEMBERS.

                     ARTICLE I. PURPOSE AND POLICY.

  A. IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS COLLABORATIVE TO:
  1. MAXIMIZE WAYS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS TO TRANSITION TO COLLEGE.
  2.  CREATE  MODELS  FOR  CONSISTENTLY,  TRANSPARENTLY, AND EFFECTIVELY
AWARDING CREDIT FOR MILITARY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT CAN BE  SCALED
REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY.
  3.  ESTABLISH  STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING SHARED INTERESTS.
  4. ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN CLOSE COOPERATION  AND  UNDERSTANDING  AMONG
EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, PROFESSIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND
LAY LEADERSHIP ON A NATIONWIDE BASIS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS.
  5. PROVIDE A CLEARINGHOUSE OF INFORMATION ON MATTERS RELATING TO PROB-
LEMS  WITH THE TRANSITION OF SERVICE MEMBERS INTO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION AND HOW THEY ARE BEING MET IN DIFFERENT PLACES THROUGHOUT  THE
NATION,  SO THAT THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERN-
MENT AND OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES MAY HAVE READY ACCESS  TO  THE  EXPERIENCE
AND RECORD OF THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
  B. IT IS THE POLICY OF THIS COLLABORATIVE TO DEVELOP AND DELIVER INNO-
VATIVE  SOLUTIONS  FOR SERVICE MEMBERS ENTERING INTO HIGHER EDUCATION AS
WELL AS PROVIDE DATA ON SUCH GROUPS.

                       ARTICLE II. STATE DEFINED.

  AS USED IN THIS COLLABORATIVE, "STATE" MEANS A  STATE,  TERRITORY,  OR
POSSESSION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  THE  DISTRICT  OF COLUMBIA, OR THE
COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO.

                     ARTICLE III. THE COLLABORATIVE.

  A. THE  MULTI-STATE  COLLABORATIVE  ON  MILITARY  CREDIT,  HEREINAFTER
CALLED  "THE  COLLABORATIVE",  IS  HEREBY ESTABLISHED. THE COLLABORATIVE
SHALL CONSIST OF TWO MEMBERS REPRESENTING EACH PARTY STATE. ONE OF  SUCH
MEMBERS  SHALL  BE  THE  GOVERNOR;  AND ONE SHALL BE THE HEAD OF A STATE
AGENCY OR INSTITUTION, DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR, HAVING RESPONSIBILITY
FOR ONE OR MORE PROGRAMS OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS, UNLESS THE  LAWS  OF  THE
STATE  OTHERWISE  PROVIDE.    IN  ADDITION  TO  ANY  OTHER PRINCIPLES OR
REQUIREMENTS WHICH A STATE MAY ESTABLISH FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND SERVICE
OF ITS MEMBERS OF THE  COLLABORATIVE,  THE  GUIDING  PRINCIPLE  FOR  THE

S. 552--A                           5

COMPOSITION OF THE MEMBERSHIP ON THE COLLABORATIVE FROM EACH PARTY STATE
SHALL  BE  THAT  THE MEMBERS REPRESENTING SUCH STATE SHALL, BY VIRTUE OF
THEIR TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE OR AFFILIATIONS BE IN  A  POSITION
COLLECTIVELY  TO  REFLECT BROADLY THE INTERESTS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT,
HIGHER EDUCATION, VETERANS' AFFAIRS, THE STATE EDUCATION SYSTEM, LAY AND
PROFESSIONAL,  PUBLIC  AND  NON-PUBLIC  EDUCATIONAL  LEADERSHIP.     ONE
APPOINTEE SHALL BE THE HEAD OF A STATE AGENCY OR INSTITUTION, DESIGNATED
BY  THE  GOVERNOR,  HAVING  RESPONSIBILITY  FOR  ONE OR MORE PROGRAMS OF
VETERANS' AFFAIRS. IN ADDITION  TO  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  COLLABORATIVE
REPRESENTING THE PARTY STATES, THERE MAY BE NOT TO EXCEED TEN NON-VOTING
MEMBERS  SELECTED  BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR TERMS OF ONE YEAR. SUCH
MEMBERS SHALL REPRESENT LEADING NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS  OF  PROFESSIONAL
EDUCATORS,   PERSONS  CONCERNED  WITH  EDUCATIONAL  ADMINISTRATION,  AND
PERSONS CONCERNED WITH VETERANS' AFFAIRS.
  B. THE MEMBERS OF THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL  BE  ENTITLED  TO  ONE  VOTE
EACH.  NO ACTION OF THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL BE BINDING UNLESS TAKEN AT A
MEETING AT WHICH A MAJORITY OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES ON THE COLLABO-
RATIVE ARE CAST IN FAVOR THEREOF.  ACTION OF THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL  BE
ONLY  AT A MEETING AT WHICH A MAJORITY OF THE STATE MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.
THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.  FOR THE PURPOSES  OF
THIS SECTION, MEETING BY VIDEO CONFERENCING SHALL BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN
A MAJORITY.
  C.  THE  DIRECTION  AND  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COLLABORATIVE SHOULD BE
CARRIED OUT BY A LEADERSHIP TEAM CONSISTING OF THE REPRESENTATIVES  FROM
THE  INITIAL  FOUNDING  STATES  AND ORGANIZATIONS.   HOWEVER, ADDITIONAL
MEMBERS MAY BE ADDED TO THE TEAM AS NEEDED.

            ARTICLE IV. COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

  A. IF THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES SPECIFICALLY  SO  PROVIDE,  OR  IF
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION IS MADE THEREFOR WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT,
THE  UNITED  STATES  MAY  BE  REPRESENTED IN THE COLLABORATIVE BY NOT TO
EXCEED TEN REPRESENTATIVES. ANY SUCH REPRESENTATIVE  OR  REPRESENTATIVES
OF  THE UNITED STATES SHALL BE APPOINTED AND SERVE IN SUCH MANNER AS MAY
BE PROVIDED BY OR PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW, AND MAY BE DRAWN FROM ANY ONE
OR MORE BRANCHES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT NO SUCH  REPRESENTATIVES
SHALL HAVE A VOTE IN THE COLLABORATIVE.
  B.  THE COLLABORATIVE MAY PROVIDE INFORMATION AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS
TO ANY EXECUTIVE OR LEGISLATIVE AGENCY OR OFFICER OF THE FEDERAL GOVERN-
MENT CONCERNING THE COMMON EDUCATIONAL POLICIES OF THE STATES,  AND  MAY
ADVISE WITH ANY SUCH AGENCIES OR OFFICERS CONCERNING ANY MATTER OF MUTU-
AL INTEREST.

         ARTICLE V. ELIGIBLE PARTIES; ENTRY INTO AND WITHDRAWAL.

  A.  THIS  COLLABORATIVE  SHALL  HAVE  AS  ELIGIBLE PARTIES ALL STATES,
TERRITORIES, AND POSSESSIONS OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  THE  DISTRICT  OF
COLUMBIA,  AND  THE  COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO. IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH
JURISDICTION NOT HAVING A GOVERNOR, THE TERM "GOVERNOR", AS USED IN THIS
COLLABORATIVE, SHALL MEAN THE CLOSEST EQUIVALENT OFFICIAL OF SUCH JURIS-
DICTION.
  B. ANY STATE OR OTHER ELIGIBLE JURISDICTION MAY ENTER INTO THIS COLLA-
BORATIVE AND IT SHALL BECOME BINDING THEREON WHEN  IT  HAS  ADOPTED  THE
SAME;  PROVIDED  THAT IN ORDER TO ENTER INTO INITIAL EFFECT, ADOPTION BY
AT  LEAST  THREE  NEIGHBORING  JURISDICTIONS  OF  THIS  STATE  SHALL  BE
REQUIRED.

S. 552--A                           6

  C.  ADOPTION  OF  THE COMPACT MAY BE EITHER BY ENACTMENT THEREOF OR BY
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE  OTHER  STATES.
SUCH  COLLABORATIVE SHALL BE DEEMED RATIFIED BY THE LEGISLATURE UPON THE
GOVERNOR'S CERTIFICATION TO THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE  SENATE,  THE
SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

               ARTICLE VI. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY.

  THIS  COLLABORATIVE  SHALL  BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED SO AS TO EFFECTUATE
THE PURPOSES THEREOF.
  A. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS COLLABORATIVE SHALL BE SEVERABLE AND IF  ANY
PHRASE,  CLAUSE, SENTENCE OR PROVISION OF THIS COMPACT IS DECLARED TO BE
CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY STATE OR OF THE  UNITED  STATES,  OR
THE  APPLICABILITY  THEREOF TO ANY GOVERNMENT, AGENCY, PERSON OR CIRCUM-
STANCES IS HELD INVALID, THE VALIDITY OF THE REMAINDER OF THIS  COLLABO-
RATIVE  AND  THE APPLICABILITY THEREOF TO ANY GOVERNMENT, AGENCY, PERSON
OR CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED THEREBY.  IF  THIS  COLLABORATIVE
SHALL  BE  HELD  CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY STATE PARTICIPATING
THEREIN, THE COLLABORATIVE SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT  AS  TO
THE STATE AFFECTED AS TO ALL SEVERABLE MATTERS.
  B.  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  COLLABORATIVE REPRESENTING THIS STATE SHALL
RECEIVE  NO  COMPENSATION  FOR  THEIR  SERVICES  BUT  SHALL  BE  ALLOWED
REIMBURSEMENT  FOR THEIR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES IN PERFORMANCE OF
THEIR DUTIES HEREUNDER.
  S 8. The trustees of the state university and city university  of  New
York  are hereby authorized and directed to immediately take all actions
to create and establish within their respective university  system,  and
subject  to  the jurisdiction of their board of trustees, internet-based
coursework for  active  military,  naval  service,  National  Guard  and
reserve service members of the United States or of the state.
  S  9.  This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule  or  regulation  necessary
for  the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.