(A) Notwithstanding the requirements of sections 3313.61, 3313.611, and 3313.612 of the Revised Code, the board of education of any city, exempted village, or local school district or the governing authority of any chartered nonpublic school may grant a high school diploma to any veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam conflict who is a resident of this state or who was previously enrolled in any high school in this state if all of the following apply:

(1) The veteran either:

(a) Left a public or nonpublic school located in any state prior to graduation in order to serve in the armed forces of the United States;

(b) Left a public or nonpublic school located in any state prior to graduation due to family circumstances and subsequently entered the armed forces of the United States.

(2) The veteran received an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States.

(3) The veteran has not been granted a diploma as provided in section 3313.61 or 3313.612 of the Revised Code, a diploma of adult education as provided in section 3313.611 of the Revised Code, or a diploma under this section.

(B) Notwithstanding the requirements of sections 3313.61, 3313.611, and 3313.612 of the Revised Code, the board of education of any city, exempted village, or local school district or the governing authority of any chartered nonpublic school may grant a high school diploma to any woman who left high school during World War II, the Korean conflict, or the Vietnam conflict and who is a resident of this state or was previously enrolled in any high school in this state, if both of the following apply:

(1) The woman either:

(a) Left a public or nonpublic school located in any state prior to graduation in order to join the workforce to support her family or to join the war effort;

(b) Left a public or nonpublic school located in any state prior to graduation due to family circumstances and subsequently joined the workforce or war effort.

(2) The woman has not been granted a diploma as provided in section 3313.61 or 3313.612 of the Revised Code, a diploma of adult education as provided in section 3313.611 of the Revised Code, or a diploma under this section.

(C) If a person who would otherwise qualify for a diploma under this section is deceased, the board of education of any school district or the governing authority of any chartered nonpublic school may award such diploma to the person posthumously and may present that diploma to a living relative of the person.

(D) The department of veterans services, in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code, and with the advice and consent of the veterans advisory committee established under division (J) of section 5902.02 of the Revised Code, shall develop and adopt rules to implement this section. Such rules shall include, but not be limited to, rules establishing procedures for application and verification of eligible persons for a diploma under this section.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.54, HB 449, §1, eff. 9/17/2010.

Effective Date: 12-09-2003; 03-29-2006; 03-30-2007; 2008 SB289 08-22-2008.