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Panel Hears Bill Extending Time Window for Tuition Waiver for Children of Eligible Veterans
Summary
HB 2324 would change state tuition‑waiver timing for children of eligible veterans by giving an eight‑year period from the date of a parent's disability determination (when that determination occurs after the child turns 18) to use the waiver; staff said the revision aligns state and federal rules in certain circumstances.
The committee heard House Bill 2324, which would adjust Washington State law governing tuition waivers for children and spouses of eligible veterans or National Guard members who are permanently and totally disabled or who died in service.
Committee staff Elizabeth Wren outlined the bill’s intent: currently children must be between 17 and 26 to receive the state tuition waiver; HB 2324 would allow a child who becomes eligible because a parent is later determined 100% disabled to have eight years from the disability‑determination date to use the waiver. Wren also compared state rules to federal DEA (survivors’ and dependents’ education assistance) benefits and noted differences in time limits depending on the qualifying event date.
Chair Paul (speaking for the prime sponsor) described constituent cases in which federal disability determinations occur long after service and argued the bill would "hold harmless" families affected by delayed federal processes. Committee members sought clarification about whether the bill would remove time limits entirely; staff corrected that the bill provides eight years from the disability determination date and that federal DEA rules vary depending on event dates.
Public testimony on HB 2324 was recorded as largely supportive on the record; the committee closed the public testimony after staff and sponsor discussion and moved to the next agenda item.
