Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 6, 2025

HB 1918: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, providing for prohibiting the receipt of compensation with regard to veterans' benefits.

HB 1918 prohibits individuals or entities from charging fees for assisting veterans with benefits claims in Pennsylvania, directly affecting veterans' advocates, lawyers, and representatives who prepare or submit claims. It bans charging for services before a claim is formally filed, guarantees of specific benefits, excessive fees (citing federal fee guidelines), and referral payments. The bill requires written agreements outlining all fees before services begin and defines "compensation" broadly to include any financial benefit. Violations are classified as a third-degree misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProhibits fees for veterans' benefits assistance, preventing exploitation and protecting veterans from financial harm during claims process.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 20, 2026

HB 2024: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in State Veterans' Commission and Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, further providing for accreditation.

This bill (HB 2024) requires Pennsylvania's Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs to create a mandatory training program for county veterans affairs directors. The program must cover specific topics like trauma-informed care, military sexual trauma, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury, developed in collaboration with the State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. It directly affects county-level veterans' service staff who assist veterans across Pennsylvania. The training program becomes effective 180 days after the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates training on PTSD, trauma, and mental health for veterans' staff, directly strengthening mental health services for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates trauma-informed care training for veterans' service staff on PTSD, military sexual trauma, and TBI, directly enhancing service quality for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 12, 2025

HR 89: A Resolution recognizing March 29, 2025, as "National Vietnam War Veterans Day" in Pennsylvania.

This is a symbolic resolution (not a binding bill), not a law with policy changes. It formally recognizes March 29, 2025, as "National Vietnam War Veterans Day" within Pennsylvania, aligning with the existing federal observance established by the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act (2017). The resolution honors veterans who served between 1955-1975, including Pennsylvania residents who died, were wounded, or are unaccounted for, but does not create new programs, funding, or legal obligations. It serves solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRecognizes Vietnam War veterans' service through symbolic resolution, honoring their service per federal observance without policy changes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 17, 2025

HB 203: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, further providing for days schools not to be kept open and for additional holidays and vacations.

HB 203 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require public schools to close on Veterans' Day, adding it to the list of fixed holidays (alongside Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) when schools must be closed. It also allows school districts to designate up to five additional local holidays for closures and permits canceling these holidays during weather emergencies. The bill further mandates that schools hold special exercises on Veterans' Day as part of required observances. These changes apply directly to all public schools in Pennsylvania, affecting school calendars and holiday closures.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates school closures and special exercises on Veterans' Day, explicitly recognizing veteran service as required activity per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 30, 2025

HB 419: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for special plates for recipients of commendation medals and for special plates for recipients of achievement medals.

HB 419 creates special vehicle license plates in Pennsylvania for residents who have received specific military commendation or achievement medals. It allows holders of medals like the Army Commendation Medal or Joint Service Achievement Medal to apply for a plate by paying a $26 fee (in addition to regular registration costs). The plates display the specific medal type and its name, and can only be used on passenger cars or light trucks under 14,000 pounds gross weight. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania veterans or military personnel who qualify for these specific medals. The policy change is purely procedural, adding new plate options without altering military benefits or eligibility.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates special license plates recognizing veterans with military medals, directly honoring service through state-level recognition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 17, 2025

SB 1092: An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 22595, located on that portion of U.S. Route 22 in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, over Pennsylvania Route 934 as the CW5 John Michael Travers Memorial Bridge.

SB 1092 designates a specific bridge on U.S. Route 22 in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County, over Pennsylvania Route 934 (Bridge Key 22595) as the CW5 John Michael Travers Memorial Bridge. The bill directly affects the official identification of this bridge by renaming it to honor CW5 John Michael Travers, a U.S. military service member. This procedural change will update transportation records and signage to reflect the new memorial name.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran service by naming bridge after CW5 John Michael Travers, a U.S. military member, aligning with recognition indicators for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 694: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for licenses.

SB 694 amends Pennsylvania law concerning fees for licenses to carry firearms. The bill establishes a waiver for these fees for certain applicants. Specifically, it waives the fees for individuals who are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces or who are honorably discharged veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives firearm license fees for veterans, providing direct financial benefit and recognition of service.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 821: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for National Guard service tax credit.

SB 821 creates a $500 tax credit for Pennsylvania National Guard members who meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify, a taxpayer must be a Pennsylvania resident with at least two full years of active service by December 31 of the taxable year, and remain an active member when filing their tax return. The credit reduces taxes owed under Pennsylvania's income tax code (Article III) for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and cannot be carried over, refunded, or sold. It requires self-certification via annual tax returns, with the Department of Revenue reporting on usage annually starting in 2027. This policy directly benefits qualifying National Guard members by lowering their state tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $500 tax credit for National Guard members, reducing tax liability under PA income tax code, aligning with tax relief support for eligible taxpayers.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates $500 tax credit for PA National Guard members with 2+ years service, directly providing financial benefit to veterans through tax reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 1727: An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, in corporate powers, further providing for care of memorials.

HB 1727 amends Pennsylvania's Second Class Township Code to expand townships' authority to maintain and fund memorials. It allows second-class township boards of supervisors to maintain, repair, establish, or contribute to memorials honoring: (1) Pennsylvania National Guard or U.S. armed forces members (including reserves), and (2) first responders (firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and police officers). Townships may also accept donations from individuals or organizations to cover these memorial costs. The bill specifically updates Section 1538 of the 1933 Township Code and takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes memorials honoring veterans (PA National Guard/U.S. armed forces), directly recognizing their service per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 23, 2025

HB 1760: An Act amending Titles 51 (Military Affairs), 62 (Procurement) and 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran-owned small businesses, further providing for definitions, for regulations, for participation goal, for duties of Department of General Services and for bonding and progress payments, providing for request for full or partial waiver of contract-specific goal, further providing for reports and providing for disparity study; in small and disadvantaged businesses, further providing for policy and for definitions, providing for Small Diverse Business Program and for nonapplicability, further providing for regulations and for duties of department, providing for request for full or partial waiver of contract-specific goal, further providing for bonding and progress payments and for report to General Assembly and providing for aspirational target, for disparity study and for program expiration; providing for Participation Program for Construction and Design Professional Services; and making editorial changes.

HB 1760 establishes a 5% minimum annual participation goal for veteran business enterprises (including service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses) in Pennsylvania's state procurement contracts. It requires the Department of General Services to verify business certifications, maintain a directory of qualified veteran-owned businesses, and provide assistance to help these businesses compete for contracts. The bill also creates an "aspirational target" for participation that can be adjusted every five years after a disparity study, and allows agencies to request waivers for specific contract goals. This applies to Commonwealth agencies purchasing goods or services under Titles 51, 62, and 74 of Pennsylvania law.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes 5% minimum procurement goal for veteran-owned businesses, requiring state contracts to include them, with directory, verification, and assistance programs.95% confidence

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