SENATE BILL 99

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Munoz

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; AUTHORIZING PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO GRANT DIPLOMAS TO VIETNAM VETERANS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:  

     "[NEW MATERIAL] HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS--VIETNAM CONFLICT VETERANS.--

          A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Public School Code, a local school board may issue a high school diploma to a Vietnam conflict veteran who:

                (1) is an honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States;

                (2) was scheduled to graduate from high school after February 28, 1961 and before May 7, 1975;

                (3) was a resident of New Mexico and attended a high school in the locality of the current school district; and

                (4) left high school before graduation to serve in the Vietnam conflict.

          B. A local school board may issue a high school diploma to a qualifying Vietnam conflict veteran regardless of whether the veteran holds a high school equivalency credential or is deceased.

          C. The department shall adopt and promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of this section, including:

                (1) an application form to be submitted to the local school board by the Vietnam conflict veteran or a person acting on behalf of the veteran if the veteran is incapacitated or deceased; and

                (2) what constitutes acceptable evidence of eligibility for a diploma."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2020.

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