HB 5417 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT ALLOWING CHILDREN OF VETERANS TO USE SUCH VETERAN'S UNUSED TUITION WAIVERS AND REQUIRING STATE FUNDING FOR TUITION WAIVERS.

HB 5417 allows children of veterans to use their parent's unused tuition waivers at Connecticut State Community Colleges, expanding eligibility beyond the veterans themselves. It directly affects dependent children of veterans who served in wartime (as defined in state law) but never claimed the waiver. The bill requires the state to fund these waived tuition costs through the Connecticut State Community College Operating Fund, ensuring colleges receive state appropriations instead of absorbing the cost. This policy change removes the previous barrier where veterans had to personally claim the waiver before it could extend to their children.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Last action Mar 17, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → HED Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' incorporating favorable changes from the House Education Committee. The primary substantive change expands tuition waiver eligibility to include students attending the Connecticut State Police Academy in law enforcement programs, while also clarifying the rules for veterans and nursing home residents.

Scope change

The bill now applies to additional student groups, specifically those enrolled in the Connecticut State Police Academy law enforcement program, in addition to the previously listed groups.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new category for tuition waivers covering students attending the Connecticut State Police Academy who are enrolled in a law enforcement program.

Refined the criteria for veterans and their children, removing a specific exclusion regarding children who previously received waivers and clarifying the definition of 'service in time of war'.

Added a new condition for nursing home residents: tuition waivers are now subject to a 'space available' requirement, ensuring there is room for non-eligible students before waiving fees.

Updated the reference for tuition waiver costs from subsection (f) to subsection (g), indicating a reorganization of the bill's sections.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference APP

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Higher Education and Employment Advancement

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors