Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2025

HB 1452: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, further providing for veterans registry and for PA VETConnect Program.

HB 1452 amends Pennsylvania's Military Affairs statutes to update provisions for the veterans registry and the PA VETConnect Program. The bill requires the veterans registry forms to include options for requesting information on support resources for military sexual trauma. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs coordinate with organizations that provide military sexual trauma support resources as part of the PA VETConnect Program. These changes are intended to improve access to specific support services for veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAdds military sexual trauma support resources to veterans registry and mandates coordination with support organizations, expanding access to critical services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 7, 2025

HB 799: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for veterans' benefits and services workplace posting; and making an editorial change.

HB 799 requires businesses with more than 50 full-time employees (working 40+ hours weekly) in Pennsylvania to display or provide online a standardized workplace posting about veteran resources. The posting must include contact information for state and federal veteran benefits, the VA Crisis Line, and local county veterans affairs offices. Employers can meet this requirement by placing the posting in a visible location or on an employee-accessible company website. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry will create and maintain this standardized posting on its public website. The law took effect on July 7, 2025, with specific provisions requiring the posting to be implemented within 180 days.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates businesses to display veteran resource contacts, improving access to benefits and services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 736: An Act amending the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, in Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for fees and charges.

SB 736 amends the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, primarily focusing on fees and charges for State parks. The bill mandates that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) provide a 15% discount on all State park fees, admissions, and charges for active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and their immediate family members. It also clarifies that DCNR cannot impose new general parking or admission fees unless they existed prior to 1995, while allowing for fees on specific services or facilities. All fees collected from State parks must be used for the acquisition, maintenance, operation, or administration of the State park system.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates 15% discount on state park fees for veterans and military families, directly expanding benefits as per bill summary.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 30, 2025

HB 1529: An Act designating the portion of Pennsylvania Route 51 from Segment 0280/Offset 0000 to Segment 0300/Offset 0570 in Whitehall Borough, Allegheny County, as the Hon. Raymond T. Book Memorial Highway.

This bill designates a specific segment of Pennsylvania Route 51 (from Segment 0280/Offset 0000 to Segment 0300/Offset 0570 in Whitehall Borough, Allegheny County) as the "Hon. Raymond T. Book Memorial Highway." It honors Raymond T. Book, a former Whitehall Borough Council member and Pennsylvania House representative (1982-1988), who served in WWII, worked in real estate, and volunteered with Jefferson Hospital. The bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs naming the highway. It has no policy impact beyond the commemorative naming and is currently pending in the Transportation committee.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors WWII veteran Raymond T. Book via highway designation, aligning with recognition indicator for veterans' service90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 766: An Act designating a portion of State Route 3037 from the intersection with Waltz Mill Flats Road to Segment 0170/Offset 0950 in Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County, as the PFC Earl "Butch" Long Memorial Highway.

HB 766 designates a specific segment of State Route 3037 in Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County - from Waltz Mill Flats Road to Segment 0170/Offset 0950 - as the "PFC Earl 'Butch' Long Memorial Highway." This procedural bill honors PFC Earl "Butch" Long, a Vietnam War infantryman killed in action in 1967, by naming the highway in his memory. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will install and maintain signs displaying the highway's new name. The bill does not create new policy or affect any regulations; it solely commemorates the veteran's service and sacrifice.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors a fallen veteran via highway designation, aligning with recognition as a support indicator per topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 353: An Act amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran recognition, providing for K9 Veterans Day.

SB 353 designates March 13 as K9 Veterans Day in Pennsylvania, recognizing military working dogs' service. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging Pennsylvanians to observe this day, commemorating the date the U.S. military began actively recruiting canine forces in 1942. It directly affects Pennsylvania residents through the Governor's official observance. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment, with no additional funding or program requirements.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates K9 Veterans Day to recognize military working dogs' service, directly aligning with veteran recognition policies per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SR 122: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to expand post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for veterans and service members by authorizing stellate ganglion block therapy through passage of H.R. 1947, the Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD Act.

This resolution (SR 122) urges Congress to pass H.R. 1947, which would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) therapy to veterans and service members with PTSD. SGB is a low-risk nerve block procedure proven to reduce PTSD symptoms like anxiety and hyperarousal, currently available to only 40% of veterans through existing treatments. The resolution highlights that untreated PTSD correlates with higher suicide risk, with 20 veteran suicides occurring daily in the U.S. It specifically requests Congress expand access to SGB therapy as an additional treatment option for veterans diagnosed with PTSD. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, directing the Senate to formally recommend passage of H.R. 1947.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes expanded access to SGB therapy for veteran PTSD, advancing mental health treatment options and improving patient access to proven care.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges expansion of PTSD treatment access via SGB therapy, directly improving veterans' healthcare benefits and addressing untreated PTSD risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 1806: An Act amending Title 38 (Holidays and Observances) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran recognition, providing for 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day.

HB 1806 would establish "6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day" as an official observance in Pennsylvania, recognizing the service of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion - a unit of African American women in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. The bill amends Pennsylvania's statutes to include this day in the state's list of recognized holidays and observances. It directly affects Pennsylvanians by creating a designated day for educational and commemorative activities honoring this historic military unit. The measure is procedural, focusing solely on formal recognition without altering existing laws or policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRecognizes WWII African American women veterans' service via designated observance, directly aligning with topic's 'recognition' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 1119: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption, further providing for exemption.

HB 1119 amends Pennsylvania's real estate tax exemption rules for disabled veterans under Title 51 of the Consolidated Statutes. It directly affects Pennsylvania veterans who are disabled and own real estate, by modifying the existing exemption provisions. The bill focuses on adjusting how the exemption applies to their property taxes, though specific changes to eligibility or calculation methods are not detailed in the provided context. This legislative action aims to refine the tax relief program for veterans through statutory updates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends real estate tax exemption for disabled veterans, providing targeted tax relief under fiscal policy90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAmends tax exemption for disabled veterans, directly providing property tax relief as a benefit expansion under state law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 6, 2025

HB 2011: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania National Guard, establishing the TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program.

HB 2011 establishes a state program to reimburse Pennsylvania National Guard members for their TRICARE health insurance premiums. This directly affects current and future Pennsylvania National Guard members who pay for TRICARE coverage. The key provision creates a reimbursement mechanism where the state would refund members' monthly TRICARE premiums, reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The bill amends Pennsylvania's military affairs statutes to implement this financial assistance program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state expenditure to reimburse National Guard TRICARE premiums, increasing government spending on military benefits.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReimburses National Guard members' TRICARE premiums, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs for military personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReimburses National Guard members' TRICARE premiums, reducing healthcare costs for veterans directly through state-funded benefit expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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