A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Public School Code, a local school board may issue a high school diploma to a World War II veteran who:
(1) is an honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States;
(2) was scheduled to graduate from high school after 1940 and before 1951;
(3) was a resident of New Mexico and attended a high school in the locality of the current school district; and
(4) left high school before graduation to serve in World War II.
B. A local school board may issue a high school diploma to a qualifying World War II veteran regardless of whether the veteran holds a high school equivalency credential or is deceased.
C. The department shall adopt and promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of this section, including:
(1) an application form to be submitted by the World War II veteran or a person acting on behalf of the veteran if the veteran is incapacitated or deceased; and
(2) what constitutes acceptable evidence of eligibility for a diploma.