Veterans

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1438 authorizes the state to issue a special "Green Star Family" license plate to family members of veterans who died by suicide related to their military service. To qualify, the veteran must have been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, and the applicant must be a specific relative such as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or foster parent. The special plate is available for passenger cars and trucks with a registered gross weight of 14,000 pounds or less, requiring a $28 fee in addition to standard registration costs.

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1428 amends state vehicle registration laws to expand the availability of special license plates for veterans, active-duty military members, and their families. The bill increases the fees for these specialized plates by $5 across most categories and directs a portion of each fee to the Veterans' Trust Fund. It also repeals provisions for specific historical plates, such as those for Pearl Harbor survivors and World War II veterans, while adding new options for recipients of various military medals and service in allied foreign countries.

This Pennsylvania Senate Resolution designates September 28, 2026, as "Green Star Veterans and Families Day" to honor veterans who died by suicide in connection with their military service. The bill formally recognizes the Green Star Service Banner as a symbol of remembrance for these individuals. It aims to acknowledge the resilience of the families left behind and raise public awareness about the mental health challenges and suicide crisis affecting veterans.

Pennsylvania Senate Resolution 359 designates September 2026 as "Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" to highlight the elevated suicide rates among military veterans in the state. The resolution cites specific statistics, noting that nearly 250 Pennsylvania veterans die by suicide annually and that female veterans face a significantly higher risk than their male counterparts. It acknowledges contributing factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder, unemployment, and difficulties reintegrating into civilian life. Additionally, the bill expresses support for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and its ongoing initiatives to provide resources and education on suicide prevention for veterans and their families.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates December 7, 2026, as "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day" to honor the service members and civilians affected by the 1941 attack. The bill highlights a specific connection between the state and the event by noting that the USS Pennsylvania was present at Pearl Harbor and sustained casualties. It encourages residents to pause in remembrance, honor World War II veterans, and recognize the resilience of the people of Hawaii.

This bill designates a specific bridge carrying U.S. Route 22 in Cresson Township, Cambria County, as the PFC Stanley J. Lassak Memorial Bridge to honor a local veteran. The legislation officially names the structure after PFC Stanley J. Lassak, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was killed in a car accident in 1993. It requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for traffic traveling in both directions on the bridge. The act will take effect 60 days after being signed into law.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act to support small, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses within the state's medical marijuana program. It achieves this by creating new definitions for disadvantaged, diverse, and small businesses and granting the Department of Health authority to issue additional dispensary permits specifically to these groups. Furthermore, the legislation requires the department to publish a list of available licenses annually and prioritize accepting applications from these eligible business types for those spots. The changes are designed to increase access for specific business categories without altering the core structure of the existing medical marijuana framework.

This bill designates a specific highway interchange in Schuylkill County as a memorial to Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira, Jr., who died in the line of duty in 2026. The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to install signs identifying the interchange by his name. This action honors Trooper Pahira's service and memory without altering any traffic laws or infrastructure.

This Senate Resolution designates September 25, 2026, as "Disabled American Veterans Day" in Pennsylvania to honor veterans with disabilities and the Disabled American Veterans organization. The measure recognizes the DAV's long history of providing services such as helping with benefits claims, offering transportation to medical appointments, and supporting local communities. By establishing this specific date, the resolution aims to raise public awareness about the sacrifices made by disabled veterans and the ongoing support provided by the DAV.

This resolution designates June 10, 2026, as "National Guard and Veterans Day" to honor the history and service of Pennsylvania's National Guard and veterans. The bill recognizes the unit's lineage dating back to 1747 and highlights its extensive contributions to both military operations and domestic emergencies. It serves as a commemorative measure rather than a law that changes funding or policy, aiming to acknowledge the state's military heritage and the roles played by its members.