(a) Except as provided for in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), a student of the California Community Colleges or the California State University who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition for the length of time he or she lives in this state after being discharged up to the minimum time necessary to become a resident.

(b) (1) Except as provided for in subdivisions (c) and (d), a student enrolled, or intending to enroll, at a campus of the California Community Colleges, or as an undergraduate at a campus of the California State University, who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition for up to one year if he or she files an affidavit with the institution at which he or she is enrolled, or intends to enroll, stating that he or she intends to establish residency in California as soon as possible.

(2) The one-year exemption provided in paragraph (1) shall be used by the student within two years of being discharged.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the California Community Colleges and the California State University shall, and the University of California is requested to, update and adopt policies no later than July 1, 2015, regarding tuition rates for eligible veterans and their eligible dependents to ensure conformity to, and compliance with, the federal Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146) and the requirements of this section.

(d) A former member of the Armed Forces of the United States who received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge shall not be eligible for an exemption pursuant to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 639, Sec. 1. (AB 13) Effective September 27, 2014.)