CS/SB 412--Education/children of POWs and MIAs.

The bill amends [sections] 295.015, to extend educational opportunity benefits at state expense to the dependent children of Florida resident parents who have been declared prisoners of war (POWs) or missing in action (MIA) since the Vietnam era. The bill includes the dependent children of parents who have been classified as a POW or MIA while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States or in the capacity of civilian personnel captured while serving with the consent or authorization of the United States Government. The bill reduces the parent's Florida residency requirement from five years to one year prior to the event that caused the parent to be classified as a POW or MIA. Approved by the governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2007.