(STATEHOUSE) March 26, 2009 - All Indiana Purple Heart recipients would be eligible for tuition and fee exemptions at state educational institutions if a bill passed unanimously today by the Indiana House of Representatives gains final approval by Gov. Mitch Daniels. Rep. Woody Burton (R-Greenwood) co-sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives. Last year, the Indiana General Assembly created a law allowing Purple Heart recipients who served active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, to apply for the tuition and fee exemption. Senate Bill 39 will expand those eligible for the exemption to include all veterans who have received the honor of a Purple Heart. The exemption has been available to the children of these veterans for many years, and they will retain eligibility under Senate Bill 39. "Purple Heart recipients have risked their own lives for our great country. The least we can do is to provide them with the opportunity to further their education," said Rep. Burton. "Expanding this tuition exemption program to all Purple Heart recipients will go a long way to help these veterans and their families." If Gov. Daniels signs the bill into law, it will become effective July 1, 2009. Those interested in tracking this and other bills that have survived the journey to the governor's desk can visit http://www.in.gov/gov/billwatch.htm. -30- Rep. Burton encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions or comments concerning this legislative session. Contact Rep. Burton by phone at 1-800-382-9841, email to h58@iga.in.gov or write to 200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
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