Bill seeks to ease disruptions caused by military service

With family and job disruptions among the biggest concerns of military service members, the House Veterans Affairs Committee approved a bill Wednesday designed to ease some of the problems they face when they leave active duty and return home.

The bill would require colleges and universities to refund tuition for service members who could not complete their course work because they were called to active duty.

It would allow service members to cancel without penalty contracts such as those with cell phone companies.

Rep. John Hall, D-N.Y., said the bill allows a veteran to obtain his or her old telephone number when they return from duty.

In addition, the bill would allow a spouse to maintain residency in the same state as the service member for purposes of state taxation, property taxes and voter registration. Another provision would allow a returning service member 13 months to pay off student loans should they decide not to return to college immediately.