Notwithstanding any other law:

(a) Effective for academic terms beginning after July 1, 2019, a student enrolled at a campus of the California Community Colleges or the California State University who meets all of the following requirements shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition or any other fee that is exclusively applicable to nonresident students:

(1) The student resides in California.

(2) The student meets the definition of “covered individual,” as that term is defined in Section 3679(c)(2) of Title 38 of the United States Code.

(3) The student is eligible for education benefits under the federal Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (Chapter 30 (commencing with Section 3001) of Title 38 of the United States Code), the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program (Chapter 31 (commencing with Section 3100) of Title 38 of the United States Code), or the Post-9/11 GI Bill program (Chapter 33 (commencing with Section 3301) of Title 38 of the United States Code), as each read on January 1, 2019.

(b) After the expiration of the three-year period following discharge as described in Section 3679(c)(2)(A) or (B)(ii)(I) of Title 38 of the United States Code, a student who qualifies for an exemption from paying nonresident tuition and other applicable fees under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall be deemed to maintain “covered individual” status as long as the student remains continuously enrolled at a campus, even if the student enrolls in multiple programs, and the student shall continue to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition and other fees that are exclusively applicable to nonresident students. As used in this section, “continuously enrolled” means enrolled for at least the fall and spring semesters of an academic year, or for at least three of the quarters in an academic year for an institution using the quarter system.

(c) The attendance of a community college student who is exempt from paying nonresident tuition and other fees pursuant to this section may be reported by the community college district of attendance for apportionment purposes.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 53, Sec. 5. (SB 77) Effective July 1, 2019.)