Schwarzenegger Signs Senator Correa’s Bill to Increase Education Benefits for National Guard Members

 SACRAMENTO, CA— State Senator Lou Correa issued the following statement on the approval by the Governor of Senate Bill 1075 (SB 1075):

“I applaud the Governor’s approval of this important measure. This new law will protect the California National Guard members who are currently enrolled in a higher education institution when they are ordered to perform active military duty,” said Senator Correa. “Now, these brave men and women can rest assured that they will not be academically or financially penalized for performing their service to the people of California.”

This legislative measure, authored by Orange County’s own senator, requires higher education institutions to reasonably accommodate and assist students who are called to active military duty so they can meet any and all coursework requirements missed due to military service. 

The California National Guard routinely assists and responds to local and state authorities for various missions and emergencies within California and elsewhere. Many of these service men and women must leave their studies to respond to these emergencies.  Unfortunately, California’s higher education institutions have varying policies concerning academic leaves of absence for these students. There have been some instances in which post-secondary institutions have not extended these protections to California National Guard members who were ordered to perform Emergency State Active Duty by the Governor. SB 1075 will require colleges to work with and assist these students to meet any and all coursework requirements that they may have missed due to this military service.

SB 1075 was unanimously supported by the Legislature. This measure was sponsored by the California National Guard, and supported by the following organizations:  American Legion Department of California; AMVETS, Department of California; National Guard Association of California; and, Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council.

SB 1075 will become effective on January 2011.

Senator Lou Correa represents the 34th District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster.