RALEIGH — North Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would provide free community college tuition to children of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and experienced correctional officers. The House Higher Education Committee unanimously approved the bill, named the Family Support for Those Who Serve Act, on Wednesday.

The tuition benefit would apply to children aged 17 to 24 who meet community college admissions standards. For correctional officers, their children would qualify for the waiver if the officer has more than 10 years of job experience. An identical version of the bill has been introduced in the North Carolina Senate.

State Representative Mike Schietzelt, a Republican from Wake County who is sponsoring the legislation, estimated the program would cost the state $2 million. He stated lawmakers are evaluating whether adding probation officers would increase program costs. Schietzelt said, "It is an opportunity for a lot of kids to change their stars."

The average vacancy rate for correctional officers in North Carolina is 30 percent, with some prisons experiencing rates as high as 60 percent. Justin Davis, Director of legislative affairs for the Department of Adult Correction, spoke about the challenges in hiring, stating, "We have a very difficult time recruiting and retaining correctional officers. These are extremely meaningful benefits that our employees will recognize should this be passed."

State Representative Brian Turner, a Democrat from Buncombe County, noted the work of probation officers. He said, "Probation officers are being asked to go out, do home visits, check on people. They are putting themselves in harm's way. A lot of times, they are loaned out to their task forces and working with other law enforcement officers." The bill will proceed to the House Committee on Appropriations.