As used in this part 17, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Eligible youth" means a person who has voluntarily consented, with the written permission of his or her parent or guardian if the person is a minor, to participate in the National Guard youth challenge corps program and the United States congressional youth awards program and to act in accordance with program requirements. Additionally, an eligible youth shall be:
At least sixteen years of age but less than nineteen years of age;
A high school dropout, suspended or expelled from school, habitually truant, or otherwise habitually disruptive in school;
Economically and educationally disadvantaged;
Unemployed;
Drug-free;
Free of felony convictions or capital offenses, not indicted or charged with a crime,and not on parole or probation for anything other than juvenile status offenses; and
Physically and mentally capable of participating in the program with reasonable accommodations for physical or other disabilities.
"High school equivalency examination" means the state-board-approved battery oftests that are designed to measure the major outcomes and concepts generally associated with four years of high school education and that are administered at a testing center that has been approved by the department of education based on geographic need and testing volume.
"Program" means the youth challenge corps program authorized and described insection 28-3-1704.
Source: L. 2009: Entire part added, (HB 09-1280), ch. 384, p. 2084, § 1, effective August 5. L. 2014: (2) amended, (SB 14-058), ch. 102, p. 384, § 21, effective April 7.