Bill would cover education costs for public service workers’ dependents

The Education Secretary would establish a program and pay participating schools to cover eligible dependents’ tuition, fees, course materials, and related items. It would cover qualifying dependents of full-time first responders, public educators, and social workers who reach at least 20 total years of service on or after the program takes effect. If enacted, the worker must have held a covered job when the measure was enacted or started one later. The school must be public, participate by agreement, and be in a state where the dependent qualifies for in-state tuition. The program would take effect one year after enactment, and assistance could last no more than four academic years.

Eligible dependents could receive this assistance at the same time as other education aid, including federal grants and loans. The payment would not count as wages or compensation when eligibility or amounts are calculated for retirement, other job-related, or need-based public benefits. Another law could require different treatment when benefits are calculated. The assistance would be exempt from tax under federal tax law. These rules would take effect one year after enactment.