1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; modifying standards for awarding academic credit 
1.3 	for certain military training or service programs; amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2012, section 197.775, subdivisions 1, 2.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 197.775, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this 
1.8 	section.
1.9 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs.
1.10 	(c) "State college or university" means a unit of the University of Minnesota or 
1.11 	Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
1.12 	(d) "Veteran" includes the definition provided in section 197.447, and also includes 
1.13 	any person serving in active service, as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5.

1.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 197.775, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.15 		Subd. 2.Recognition of courses. (a) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities 
1.16 	must recognize courses and award educational credits for courses that were part of a 
1.17 	veteran's military training or service if the courses meet the standards of the American 
1.18 	Council on Education or equivalent standards for awarding academic credits. In 
1.19 	recognizing courses and awarding educational credits, consideration must be given to 
1.20 	academic skills developed in all aspects of the training or service course curriculum, and 
1.21 	may not be limited solely to the physical fitness or activity components of the course.
1.22 	(b) The University of Minnesota and private colleges and universities in Minnesota 
1.23 	are encouraged to recognize courses and award educational credits for courses that were 
2.1 	part of a veteran's military training or service if the courses meet the standards of the 
2.2 	American Council on Education or equivalent standards for awarding academic credits.
2.3 	 In recognizing courses and awarding educational credits, the University of Minnesota 
2.4 	and private colleges and universities in Minnesota are encouraged to consider academic 
2.5 	skills developed in all aspects of the training or service course curriculum, and not limit 
2.6 	consideration solely to the physical fitness or activity components of the course.