Assembly Panel Approves Mosquera, Egan Jones Bill to Help Protect & Enhance Rights of Domestic Violence Victims

(TRENTON) – An Assembly panel on Thursday approved legislation sponsored by Gabriela Mosquera and Patricia Egan Jones to establish the “Domestic Violence Tuition Waiver Program.”

The bill (A-2814) would provide a waiver of tuition costs for one semester to documented victims of domestic violence, who as a result of the violence, became unable to complete college coursework for which tuition costs had been paid. The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) would be in charge of establishing the program and the state would be required to reimburse higher education institutions.

“After the trauma of domestic violence, college may become even more of a priority for someone who now finds themselves on their own and possibly having to support children by themselves,” said Mosquera.  “Although it may have to take a backseat temporarily while a victim gets their life in order, we should do everything we can to help make it an attainable priority.”

“In addition to the physical and mental trauma, there are so many complicated factors that victims of domestic violence must deal with,” said Egan Jones (D-Camden/Gloucester).  “Despite their wishes, sometimes college must be put on the backburner while they cope with the trauma and pursue legal recourse.  This measure would help them pick up the pieces and move on when they are ready.”

A person is eligible to qualify for the program if certain criteria are met, including:

• the person is a documented victim of domestic violence;
• within two years from the date of occurrence of the act of domestic violence for which they are a documented victim, the person is seeking to reenroll in the same or substantially similar course of study that they were enrolled in at the time of the domestic violence occurrence, which resulted in their inability to complete the course;
• the person submits affidavit evidence and other evidence tending to support the claim that as a result of the act of domestic violence, they were unable to complete the course or courses for which they seek a tuition abatement;
• the person submits affidavit evidence and other evidence tending to support the claim that as they are currently or for the time period contemplated, able to complete the course or courses for which they seek reenrollment.

HESAA would be charged with determining whether the applicant meets the program requirements. If the requirements are met, HESAA would notify the appropriate college, university or county vocational school that the person qualifies for a tuition waiver.

Eligibility under the program is limited to two years from the date the applicant applied for a tuition waiver. No applicant shall be granted more than one tuition abatement under the bill.

The bill was approved by the Assembly Women and Children Committee; it will now go to the Assembly Speaker for further consideration.