The state Assembly has unanimously passed a bill to provide foster children with free college tuition to any UW school, and with the strong support of leaders in both party, it looks likely to make its way into law.
The proposal would waive all tuition costs and fees associated with attendance to all students who have spent at least a year in out-of-home placement after turning 13 or were in out-of-home-placement on their 18th birthday.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who organized a legislative task force to tackle foster care-related issues, has been a strong proponent of the bill, along with Gov. Scott Walker and UW System President Ray Cross.
It now heads to the Senate to be considered, where many assume it will also pass handily.
UPDATE Feb. 14 at 11:56 a.m.: This story was updated to correct that state Reps. Andre Jacque and Adam Jarchow did not vote against the bill as previously stated, and the Assembly passed it unanimously.
