Increases tuition credit amount permitted under volunteer tuition credit program.

A2262

ASSEMBLY, No. 2262

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman MARGIE DONLON, M.D.

District 11 (Monmouth)

Assemblyman CODY D. MILLER

District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Scharfenberger, McGuckin, Assemblywoman Swain
and Assemblyman Tully

SYNOPSIS

���� Increases tuition credit amount permitted under
volunteer tuition credit program.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.

��

An Act
concerning tuition credit for certain members of a
volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad and amending
P.L.1998, c.145.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� Section 1 of P.L.1998,
c.145 (C.18A:71-78.1) is amended to read as follows:

���� 1.��� A person who is an
active member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue
squad or association in good standing and the dependent children and spouse of
a volunteer shall be allowed to enroll in a postsecondary program on a
tuition-free basis in a county college, county vocational school or county
technical institute and be eligible to receive tuition credit in an amount not
to exceed a maximum of
[
$2,400
]

$5,000

for the member, children and spouse; provided that available classroom space
permits and that tuition paying students constitute the minimum number required
for the course.� Nothing herein shall preclude a county college, county
vocational school or county technical institute from requiring registration and
lab fees for individuals attending courses pursuant to this act.

(cf: P.L.1998, c.145, s.1)

���� 2.��� Section 2 of P.L.1998,
c.145 (C.18A:71-78.2) is amended to read as follows:

���� 2.��� In order to be eligible
to receive tuition credit at a county college, county vocational school or
county technical institute, a person shall agree to serve as a member of a
volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association
for a minimum of four years and sign an agreement with the municipality in
which the squad or association is located pledging four years of service in
exchange for the tuition credit.� Following each year of volunteer service
performed, the volunteer or the spouse or dependent child shall be entitled to
receive tuition credit of up to
[
$600
]

$1,250
,
not to exceed a maximum of
[
$2,400
]

$5,000

for the member, children and spouse over a four-year service period.

(cf: P.L.1998, c.145, s.2)

���� 3.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This
bill increases the current statutory tuition credit amount permitted under the
volunteer tuition credit program.

���� Under current law, certain persons who are active
members in good standing of a volunteer fire company, or a volunteer first aid
or rescue squad or association, and the person�s dependent children and spouse,
are permitted to enroll in a postsecondary program on a tuition-free basis in a
county college, county vocational school, or county technical institution and
be eligible to receive tuition credit in an amount not to exceed a maximum of
$2,400.� The law requires the member to agree to serve as a member of a
volunteer fire company or volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association
for a minimum of four years of service.� Current law provides for a tuition
credit of up to $600 following each year of service not to exceed a maximum of
$2,400 for the member, dependent, and spouse over a four-year service period.

����� This bill increases the maximum tuition credit amount
from $600 to $1,250 per year of service, not to exceed a maximum of $5,000 for
the member, dependent, and spouse over a four-year service period.