To enact sections 3333.0412, 5903.05, and 5907.071 of the Revised Code to enhance support and services for veterans at state institutions of higher education and to require each institution to develop a policy for awarding academic credit to veterans for training received while in the military.

Section 1.  That sections 3333.0412, 5903.05, and 5907.071 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3333.0412. (A) As used in this section, "state institution of higher education" means a state university or college as defined in division (A)(1) of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code, community college established under Chapter 3354. of the Revised Code, state community college established under Chapter 3358. of the Revised Code, university branch established under Chapter 3355. of the Revised Code, or technical college established under Chapter 3357. of the Revised Code.

(B) The chancellor of the Ohio board of regents shall do all of the following:

(1) Work with the department of veterans services to develop a model for training counselors of student veterans at state institutions of higher education regarding the unique needs of and challenges faced by student veterans;

(2) Facilitate regular statewide meetings for personnel at state institutions of higher education who regularly provide services to student veterans to enable them to discuss and develop best practices, exchange ideas and experiences, and hear presentations by individuals with generally accepted expertise in subjects relevant to the needs of and challenges faced by student veterans;

(3) Develop and facilitate communications between state institutions of higher education, military bases in the state, and veteran organizations in the state to advance causes that benefit student veterans.

Sec. 5903.05.  (A) As used in this section:

"State institution of higher education" means a state university or college as defined in division (A)(1) of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code, community college established under Chapter 3354. of the Revised Code, state community college established under Chapter 3358. of the Revised Code, university branch established under Chapter 3355. of the Revised Code, or technical college established under Chapter 3357. of the Revised Code.

"Veteran" means a person who served on active duty for more than one hundred eighty days and was discharged or released from active duty with other than a dishonorable discharge or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

(B) The board of trustees of a state institution of higher education shall establish and implement and, as it becomes necessary or advisable, shall improve and re-implement measures requiring the institution under the board's supervision and management to do all of the following:

(1) Award academic credit to a student veteran at the institution for training or service completed by the student veteran as a member of the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component thereof, the Ohio national guard, the Ohio military reserve, or the Ohio naval militia, and that meets the standards of the American council on education or equivalent standards for awarding academic credit;

(2) Establish and sponsor an organization for student veterans on campus and encourage other veteran-friendly organizations;

(3) Periodically survey student veterans to identify their needs and challenges they face;

(4) Appoint and train faculty members within each degree program or major as liaisons and contacts for student veterans, and provide these faculty members with sensitivity and awareness training on military and veterans culture, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, physical and mental disabilities, suicide, and hypervigilance;

(5) Coordinate existing disability services on campus with veteran disability services available from the United States department of veterans affairs, the department of veterans services, veterans service commissions, other federal and state agencies, and private resources;

(6) Provide counselors who are trained to effectively respond to the unique needs of and challenges faced by student veterans, and provide services or provide referrals to services to fulfill the needs of student veterans and to help student veterans meet challenges they face; and

(7) Establish a program that creates collaborative relationships between student veterans and alumni of the institution, that links student veterans with prospective employers, and that provides student veterans with social opportunities.

Sec. 5907.071. As used in this section, "state institution of higher education" means a state university or college as defined in division (A)(1) of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code, community college established under Chapter 3354. of the Revised Code, state community college established under Chapter 3358. of the Revised Code, university branch established under Chapter 3355. of the Revised Code, or technical college established under Chapter 3357. of the Revised Code.

The veterans service commission of a county in which a state institution of higher education is located may appoint as needed a sufficient number of county veteran service officers to serve as campus veterans service officers at the state institution of higher education.

A state institution of higher education shall provide accommodations that may be utilized by veteran service officers to provide assistance to student veterans.

Section 2. A board of trustees of a state institution of higher education shall establish and implement the measures required by section 5903.05 of the Revised Code not later than July 1, 2013.