AN ACT to expand tuition waivers to the children of certain public safety employees for enrollment in north carolina community colleges.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 115B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 115B‑2.1A.  Community college tuition waiver for the children of certain public safety officers.

(a)        Definition. – For the purposes of this section, experienced correctional officer means a correctional officer with at least 10 years of service as a correctional officer in this State.

(b)        Tuition Waiver Authorized. – The community colleges, as defined in G.S. 115D‑2(2), shall permit any child, if the child is at least 17 years old but not yet 24 years old, whose parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian is a law enforcement officer, experienced correctional officer, or firefighter to attend classes for credit or noncredit purposes without the required payment of tuition.

(c)        Proof of Eligibility Required. – The community college shall require a child requesting a tuition waiver to produce proof of eligibility under this section.

(d)       Limitation on Eligibility. – A child's eligibility for a tuition waiver under this section shall not exceed the number of months required to complete the educational program in which the child is enrolled.

(e)        Admissions Standards. – Children eligible for the tuition waiver under this section shall meet admission and other standards considered appropriate by the community college.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2026‑2027 academic year.