In this section, “State or local public safety employee” has the meaning stated in § 18–601 of this article. Notwithstanding the state or county in which the spouse or the child resides, a spouse or a financially dependent child of a State or local public safety employee who dies as a result of or in the course of performance of duties is exempt from paying out–of–state or out–of–county tuition at a public institution of higher education in the State. The Commission shall adopt regulations to implement this section.