Bill Text: NJ A2619 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Extends eligibility for N.J. World Trade Center Scholarship Program to dependents and spouses of persons totally and permanently disabled as a result of exposure to the attack sites.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-03-05 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee [A2619 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A2619-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Extends eligibility for N.J. World Trade Center Scholarship Program to dependents and spouses of persons totally and permanently disabled as a result of exposure to the attack sites.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Program and amending P.L.2001, c.442.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 5 of P.L.2001, c.442 (C.18A:71B-23.5) is amended to read as follows:
5. a. The board is hereby authorized to award scholarships from the fund for the costs of undergraduate study at an institution of higher education to the dependent children or surviving spouses of persons who were New Jersey residents on September 11, 2001 and:
(1) who were killed in the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001; or
(2) who died as a result of injuries received in the attack; or
(3) who died as a result of illness caused by exposure to the attack sites, as established in medical records or other appropriate documentation as required by the board; or
(4) who are missing and officially presumed dead as a direct result of the attack.
The board is also authorized to award scholarships from the fund for the costs of undergraduate study at an institution of higher education to the dependent children or spouses of persons who were New Jersey residents on September 11, 2001 and who were totally and permanently disabled as a result of exposure to the attack sites, as established in appropriate documentation as required by the board.
The terrorist attack on the United States shall include the hijackings of American Airlines Flight 11, American Airlines Flight 77, United Airlines Flight 93 and United Airlines Flight 175 and the subsequent crashes at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
b. Scholarships from the fund may be awarded annually upon proper application to the fund to any student who qualifies under the criteria developed by the board.
(cf: P.L.2007, c.5, s.1)
2. Section 6 of P.L.2001, c.442 (C.18A:71B-23.6) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. A New Jersey World Trade Center scholarship shall not be awarded to an applicant unless the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:
(1) will be or is enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program of study leading to a degree at an institution of higher education; and
(2) has complied with all rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act for the award, regulation and administration of scholarships from the fund.
b. Eligibility for a scholarship, in the case of a surviving spouse, shall be limited to a period of eight years from the date of death of the person for initial receipt of the benefits under the program. In the case of a spouse of a person who is totally and permanently disabled as a result of exposure to the attack sites, eligibility shall be limited to a period of eight years from the date of the determination of total and permanent disability for initial receipt of the benefits under the program. In the case of a dependent child, eligibility shall be limited to a period of eight years following graduation from high school.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.442, s.6)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
The New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Program provides scholarships to the dependents and spouses of individuals who were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, or who died as a result of injuries received in the attack, or who died as a result of illness caused by exposure to the attack sites, or who are missing and officially presumed dead as a direct result of the attack. Scholarships can be applied to the costs of undergraduate education at a higher education institution. Under this bill, eligibility for the scholarship program is extended to the dependents and spouses of individuals who are totally and permanently disabled as a result of exposure to the attack sites. Individuals who had direct contact with the September 11th attack sites, such as first responders, rescue and recovery workers, and other persons, may have developed debilitating conditions or illnesses that were caused by their exposure to the sites. This bill would ensure that the dependents and spouses of these individuals are entitled to the same tuition benefits as the dependents and surviving spouses of deceased victims of the tragedy. Individuals applying for a scholarship under this new category will need to establish their eligibility with documentation deemed appropriate by the board of trustees of the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund.
