FRANKFORT — Adopted children and others who have been wards of the state would get free tuition and fees at state-supported universities and colleges under an initiative passed Friday by the House.

        “These are children that belong to each one of us,” said Rep. Steve Nunn, R-Glasgow.

        Estimates of the number of children who might take advantage of the benefit vary widely. There are about 5,400 children in foster care, adopted homes or state custody.

        A legislative fiscal note estimates there could be 330 in college yearly. But Mr. Nunn said a more realistic estimate is 50 to 100 students annually, at a cost of $122,000 to $244,000.

        The cost would not directly come from the state General Fund. The schools would have to offer the benefit from their own resources, but be encouraged to seek grants and other financial aid to offset their own costs.

        The benefit would be available for four years from the time of graduation from high school. After beginning school, tuition could be available for up to five years.

        During testimony on the proposal this week, Cabinet for Families and Children Secretary Viola Miller said anything the state can do to make it more attractive for families to act as foster and adoptive parents helps the children and state.

        House Bill 62 passed 93-0 and now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

        Also Friday, the House passed:

        • A mandatory premium discount on fire insurance rates for houses that have sprinkler systems.

        • A bill to make it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail for harassing students, school personnel, athletic officials, volunteers or others attending school-sponsored events.
       

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