(a) A degree-granting postsecondary educational institution, as defined in § 49-7-2003, that has a campus in this state shall:

(1) Designate a staff member who is employed in the financial aid office, or another appropriate office or department as determined by the institution, to serve as a homeless-student liaison. The homeless-student liaison is responsible for understanding the provisions pertaining to financial aid eligibility of homeless students, including eligibility as independent students under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. § 1087vv), and identifying services available and appropriate for students enrolled at the institution who fall under these categories. The homeless-student liaison shall assist homeless students who are enrolled in the institution in applying for and receiving federal and state financial aid and available services; and

(2) If the institution offers housing resources, develop a plan to provide homeless students who are enrolled in the institution access to housing resources during and between academic terms. The plan must include granting homeless students first priority in housing placement and placing those students in housing facilities that remain open for occupation for the most days in a calendar year.

(b) As used in this section, “homeless student” means a student under twenty-five (25) years of age who has been verified as a homeless child or youth, as defined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2)), at any time during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding the student's enrollment in, or at any time while enrolled in, a degree-granting postsecondary educational institution by:

(1) A director or designee of a governmental or nonprofit agency that receives public or private funding to provide services to homeless persons;

(2) An LEA liaison for homeless children and youth designated pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii), or a school social worker or counselor;

(3) The director of a federal TRIO or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs program, or a designee of the director; or

(4) A financial aid administrator for a degree-granting postsecondary educational institution.