FIRST REGULAR SESSION
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLOUGHBY.
Pre-filed December 30, 2002, and copies ordered printed.
TED WEDEL, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal section 160.360, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to honorary high school diplomas for certain civilian prisoners of war and veterans.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 160.360, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 160.360, to read as follows:
160.360. 1. The department of elementary and secondary education, with the cooperation of the Missouri veterans' commission, shall develop and administer a program to be known as "Operation Recognition". The purpose of the program is to award honorary high school diplomas to civilian prisoners of war (POWs) and to [World War I, World War II and Korean War veterans] any veteran who left high school prior to graduation to enter United States military service. The department and commission shall jointly develop an application procedure, distribute applications and publicize the program to school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, veterans' organizations, and state, regional and local media.
2. All civilian POWs who are residents or former residents of the state of Missouri and all honorably discharged [World War I, World War II and Korean War] veterans who are residents or former residents of the state of Missouri, who served in the United States military [during World War I, World War II or the Korean War,] and who did not return to school and complete their education after [the war] their term of service shall be eligible to receive a diploma. Diplomas may be issued posthumously.
3. Upon approval of an application, the department shall issue an honorary high school diploma for an eligible civilian POW or an eligible veteran. The diploma shall also include a statement specifying that the diploma is awarded in recognition of military service experiences and civic duty responsibilities. The diploma shall indicate the civilian POW's or veteran's school of attendance. The department and commission shall work together to provide school districts, schools, communities and veterans' organizations with information about hosting a diploma ceremony on or around Veterans Day. The diploma shall be mailed to the civilian POW or veteran or, if the civilian POW or veteran is deceased, to the civilian POW's or veteran's family.