1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; eliminating a residency requirement for purposes of 
1.3 	eligibility for higher educational benefits for the surviving spouse and children of 
1.4 	a deceased veteran who dies as a result of military service;amending Minnesota 
1.5 	Statutes 2008, section 197.75, subdivision 1.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 197.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this 
1.9 	section.
1.10 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs.
1.11 	(c) "Deceased veteran" means a veteran who was a Minnesota resident within six 
1.12 	months of the time of the person's entry intoof the United States armed forces and who 
1.13 	has died as a result of thatthe person's military service, as determined by the United 
1.14 	States Veterans Administration. 
1.15 	(d) "Eligible child" means a person who:
1.16 	(1) is the natural, step, or adopted son or daughter of a deceased veteran; and
1.17 	(2) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution 
1.18 	of higher education.
1.19 	(e) "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary educational institution located in 
1.20 	this state that either (1) is operated by this state, or (2) is operated publicly or privately 
1.21 	and, as determined by the office, maintains academic standards substantially equivalent 
1.22 	to those of comparable institutions operated in this state.
1.23 	(f) "Eligible spouse" means the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.
1.24 	(g) "Eligible veteran" means a veteran who:
2.1 	(1) is a student making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution 
2.2 	of higher education;
2.3 	(2) had Minnesota as the person's state of residence at the time of the person's 
2.4 	enlistment or any reenlistment into the United States armed forces, as shown by the 
2.5 	person's federal form DD-214 or other official documentation to the satisfaction of the 
2.6 	commissioner;
2.7 	(3) except for benefits under this section, has no remaining military or veteran-related 
2.8 	educational assistance benefits for which the person may have been entitled; and
2.9 	(4) while using the educational assistance authorized in this section, remains a 
2.10 	resident student as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8.
2.11 	(h) "Satisfactory academic progress" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, 
2.12 	subdivision 10.
2.13 	(i) "Student" has the meaning given in section 136A.101, subdivision 7.
2.14 	(j) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447.

2.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2010, for educational benefits 
2.16 	provided to an eligible child or eligible spouse on or after that date.