Veterans (Veteran Education) in Pennsylvania

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SR 234: A Resolution recognizing the week of March 1 through 7, 2026, as "Invest in Veterans Week" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates the week of March 1 through 7, 2026, as "Invest in Veterans Week" in Pennsylvania to highlight the state's veteran-owned businesses. The measure aims to increase visibility for veteran entrepreneurs and encourage public support for their enterprises through awareness and promotion. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition to foster community engagement with veteran-owned businesses. The resolution reflects existing state investment in veteran businesses and emphasizes the economic importance of these enterprises to Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 2323: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for certification of eligibility, for grants, for amount of grants, for limitations and for recoupment of grant payments.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's military educational assistance program by clarifying eligibility requirements and service obligations for National Guard and reserve component members. It establishes that eligible members must sign a promissory note agreeing to repay grant funds if they fail to complete their required service commitment, which ranges from six years for National Guard members to eight years for federal reserve members. The legislation also allows for successive grant certificates upon completing initial obligations and permits members who receive other-than-dishonorable discharges to retain a proportional share of earned benefits if they meet specific conditions. These changes apply to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces seeking educational assistance through the state program.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 1141: An Act amending Titles 24 (Education) and 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in membership, contributions and benefits, further providing for creditable nonschool service; and, in membership, credited service, classes of service, and eligibility for benefits, further providing for creditable nonstate service.

SB 1141 increases the maximum amount of military service that counts toward retirement benefits from 5 to 10 years for state government employees (under Title 71) and education employees (under Title 24) in Pennsylvania. The bill amends retirement laws to allow this change while ensuring employees with multiple retirement systems (e.g., both state and education systems) cannot count more than 10 total years of military service across both. It specifically affects members of the State Employees' Retirement System and the Public School Employees' Retirement System. The amendment becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 5, 2025

SB 1062: An Act amending the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, in administrative provisions, further providing for definitions and for continuing medical education and providing for standards for initial licensure.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's MCare Act to improve care for veterans by requiring medical professionals to address veteran-specific health conditions. It defines "veteran-related illness" to include conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and suicide linked to military service. Physicians must complete three hours of training on these illnesses for license renewal, and new license applicants must satisfy curricula covering veteran-related illnesses as part of initial licensure requirements. The changes apply directly to physicians seeking or maintaining medical licenses in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 17, 2025

HB 575: An Act amending Titles 51 (Military Affairs) and 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in professional and occupational licenses, further providing for definitions and providing for policy for the award of academic credit for military training; and making editorial changes.

HB 575 creates new protections for military service members and veterans seeking professional licenses in Pennsylvania. It ensures that individuals holding licenses in fields like healthcare, education, or trades retain their licenses during military service without losing eligibility or facing continuing education requirements. After discharge, veterans can renew licenses within one year by paying only the current renewal fee, without making up for missed requirements. The bill also requires the Department of Education to establish a policy for awarding academic credit at Pennsylvania colleges for military training, helping veterans apply their service experience toward college credits.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

passed · Pennsylvania · House May 22, 2025

HB 1144: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veterans' pensions and benefits, further providing for blind veteran's pension and for amputee and paralyzed veteran's pension.

This bill increases monthly pension payments for two groups of Pennsylvania veterans: 1) Blind veterans (defined as those with 3/60 or 10/200 vision or worse from service-connected injuries) now receive $200/month (up from $150). 2) Amputee/paralyzed veterans (with two limbs at ≥40% disability rating per VA standards) now receive $200/month (up from $150). Eligibility requires Pennsylvania residency at enlistment or current residence, honorable military service, and VA-certified disability. The change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 9, 2025

HB 1578: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption, further providing for duty of commission.

HB 1578 requires Pennsylvania's commission to create a process for preapproving disabled veterans for real estate tax exemptions. This allows veterans waiting for final U.S. Veterans Affairs certification of a 100% disability or those purchasing a new home to qualify for the exemption before the VA finalizes their case. The bill directly affects disabled veterans in Pennsylvania who are applying for this tax benefit under these specific circumstances. The commission must develop this process, and the law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 1840: An Act amending the act of May 21, 1937 (P.L.774, No.211), referred to as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Act, providing for reduced toll rates for disabled veterans.

HB 1840 amends Pennsylvania's Turnpike Commission Act to establish reduced toll rates for disabled veterans using the state turnpike system. It directly affects disabled veterans who are eligible for this benefit under the amended law. The key provision creates a specific lower toll rate category for qualifying veterans, streamlining access to reduced fares without requiring separate applications. This policy change modifies the existing toll structure to provide cost savings for this defined group of users.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 870: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Educational Assistance Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for recoupment of grant payments; and, in Military Family Education Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for limitations and for recoupment of Military Family Education Program grant payments.

SB 870 amends Pennsylvania's military education programs to clarify eligibility and repayment rules for National Guard members and their families. It updates the definition of "approved program of education" to include more training options and refines eligibility criteria, such as requiring six years of service for full-time grants and adding specific rules for members discharged due to service-connected disabilities. The bill also revises recoupment (repayment) procedures, allowing proportional repayment if service obligations aren't met and expanding forgiveness for certain circumstances like medical discharge. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families using the Educational Assistance Program and Military Family Education Program. The bill focuses on streamlining program administration without altering benefit amounts or funding.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 890: 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 Veterans' Trust Fund.

HB 890 amends Pennsylvania's Veterans' Trust Fund rules to restrict how funds can be spent. It prohibits using the fund for administrative staff salaries (defined as non-clinical personnel at veterans' organizations) and limits single-entity grants to $250,000 over three consecutive years. These changes directly affect the State Veterans' Commission and the Department managing the Trust Fund, ensuring funds are used for direct veteran services rather than administrative costs or large single grants. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

All veterans bills