Bill would help cover public education costs for workers’ dependents

The Education Secretary would set up a program to help pay eligible workers’ dependents’ education costs. A worker must work at least 40 hours a week as a first responder, educator or teacher, or social worker, and must serve for at least 20 years in total on or after the effective date. The worker must be serving when the Act is enacted or begin public service after enactment. Dependents must meet the bill’s definition. The program would cover tuition, fees, and books at a public college or a public education or training program leading to a recognized credential. Assistance could last no more than four academic years. The Act would take effect one year after enactment. Only service on or after that effective date would count toward the 20 years.

Dependents could use the assistance with other aid, and it would not count as wages for certain benefit calculations. These rules would apply to education assistance provided under the proposed program. Dependents could receive the assistance alongside federal, state, and local education benefits, including federal student aid grants and loans. The assistance would not count as wages or compensation when deciding eligibility for, or the amount of, retirement or other employment-related benefits, except as otherwise provided by law. It would be exempt from federal taxation. These rules would apply when assistance is provided under the program, which would take effect one year after enactment.