Senate Bill 289 Summary

• Transfers the North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance Program from the State Education Assistance Authority to the Department of Public Safety, effective October 1, 2021.

• Codifies the Tarheel Challenge Academy as a Division of the North Carolina National Guard offering a cost-free, 22-week residential program with 12-month post-residential mentoring for at-risk youth ages 16-18.

• Directs net proceeds from timber sales at Camp Butner reservation to the Department of Public Safety capital improvement account to support the North Carolina National Guard's Camp Butner Training Center and other National Guard-operated training centers.

• Establishes employment preference in state positions for eligible National Guard members (current and former) who are North Carolina residents, applying to initial hiring and subsequent employment events including promotions and transfers.

• Expands the definition of "eligible member of the National Guard" in employment preference statutes to include current members in good standing and former members with more than six years of creditable service and honorable discharge conditions.