(a) State institutions of higher education shall develop and implement uniform procedures for awarding academic credit applicable toward a degree or credential for military education, training, experience, and occupational specialties in the form of course credit equivalencies. State institutions of higher education shall provide these course equivalencies to veterans and service members as they transition from military service to higher education.

(b)

(1) To achieve the goal of uniform evaluation of military credit, THEC shall select military occupational specialties and academic programs with the potential to promote veteran credential completion and employment based on workforce needs and occupational demand. On or before November 1, 2017, THEC shall submit this information to the respective state institution governing boards for review.

(2) Following the review provided by subdivision (b)(1), THEC, working with the governing boards, shall convene appropriate faculty and subject matter experts to provide initial support as institutions develop course equivalencies, applicable to specific armed forces career fields, that maximize academic credit awarded for education, training, and experience obtained during military service.

(c) In developing course equivalencies and awarding academic credits, state institutions shall:

(1) Consider skills developed in all aspects of military education, training, and experience, beyond the physical fitness or activity components;

(2) Provide progress reports to the commission, upon request, as course equivalencies are developed and implemented; and

(3) Submit course equivalencies to THEC on or before December 15, 2018, detailing how academic credit toward the institution's respective credentials will be awarded. This data and information shall be submitted using the format and procedures prescribed by THEC.

(d) Course equivalencies developed pursuant to this section shall result in the award of academic credit to veterans and service members consistent with the standards of the American Council on Education or equivalent standards for awarding academic credits.

(e) Using the course equivalencies provided by state institutions pursuant to this section, THEC shall develop and maintain a website to inform potential students with military experience of the academic credit available to them prior to enrollment at a state institution of higher education. The website shall include databases sortable by military occupational specialty, with clear descriptions of the academic credit available to the veteran or service member, the degrees or other credentials to which that academic credit is applicable, and the state institutions offering the credit and credentials.

(f) Tennessee Technological University is specifically authorized to assist the commission, as requested, by providing technical and other assistance in the development and maintenance of an electronic course equivalency database.

(g) The chancellor of the board of regents may utilize board office resources in furtherance of the purposes of this section and is authorized to adopt, where applicable and appropriate, uniform system-wide course equivalencies for community colleges and colleges of applied technology.

(h) The executive director of THEC is authorized to develop procedures and convene representatives from each state institution of higher education or system, as necessary, to effect the purposes of this section.

(i) On or before February 15, 2019, THEC shall submit a report to the education committee of the senate and the education committee of the house of representatives detailing progress made in formalizing processes for uniform evaluation of military credit, and the extent to which the credit awarded will facilitate efficient and timely credential completion in alignment with state goals.