Veterans (Veteran Mental Health)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 19, 2026

SB 1438: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, providing for Green Star Family plate.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes special license plates for families of veterans who died by suicide, providing recognition and honoring their service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 13, 2026

SR 355: A Resolution designating September 28, 2026, as "Green Star Veterans and Families Day" in Pennsylvania.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises public awareness of veteran mental health and suicide crisis, supporting recognition and destigmatization within the healthcare topic.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill designates a day to honor veterans who died by suicide and recognize their families, directly supporting veteran recognition and awareness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 24, 2026

SR 359: A Resolution recognizing the month of September 2026 as "Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill designates a month for veteran suicide prevention, directly supporting mental health awareness and addressing a critical public health issue.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill designates a month for Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness, directly supporting veteran mental health recognition and highlighting critical needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HR 572: A Resolution recognizing June 27, 2026, as "PTSD Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

This House resolution designates June 27, 2026, as PTSD Awareness Day in Pennsylvania to highlight the mental health condition caused by traumatic events. The measure aims to increase public understanding of PTSD symptoms and reduce the stigma surrounding the disorder among all residents, including veterans and first responders. By officially recognizing this date, the bill encourages discussions about available treatments and the importance of seeking help.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mental health awareness and reduces stigma, directly supporting mental health services and patient access to care.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates PTSD Awareness Day to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking among veterans, directly supporting veteran mental health.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Memorials & Recognition Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 1355: An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in State Veterans' Commission and Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, establishing a pilot program to award grants for veterans traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program to provide grants for treating veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. The State Veterans' Commission will award $150,000 annually to nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and healthcare providers selected from the eastern, central, and western regions of Pennsylvania. Recipients must use the funds to develop and evaluate treatment programs aimed at improving mental health outcomes and reducing suicide risk among veterans. The program is set to expire three years after it begins, and the state will submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how the grants were used and their effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a pilot program awarding $150,000 annually to fund treatment for veterans with TBI and PTSD, directly advancing mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a pilot program to fund grants for treating veterans' traumatic brain injuries and PTSD, directly advancing veteran healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 27, 2026

HR 491: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to enact legislation designating the Green Star Service Banner as a national emblem honoring families of members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans who died by suicide.

This Pennsylvania House resolution asks the U.S. Congress to officially recognize the Green Star Service Banner as a national symbol for families of military members and veterans who died by suicide. The bill also directs Pennsylvania state agencies and local governments to allow the voluntary display of this banner at appropriate locations. By doing so, the resolution aims to honor these families and shift the focus from statistics to personal acknowledgment of their loss.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors families of veterans who died by suicide, recognizing their loss and shifting focus to personal acknowledgment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SR 245: A Resolution supporting the bipartisan Federal Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act of 2025 and urging the Congress of the United States to pass the measure to expand and improve care for Pennsylvania veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury, including through innovative neurorehabilitation strategies that promote mental health and prevent suicide.

This Senate Resolution supports a federal bill that would create a three-year grant program to fund research and development of new treatments for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury. The proposed grants would support academic institutions, healthcare providers, and community organizations in testing non-drug interventions, conducting clinical trials, training clinicians, and building partnerships to scale effective care strategies. The measure specifically aims to address mental health needs and suicide prevention among veterans, with Pennsylvania institutions encouraged to participate in the program. The resolution urges Congress to pass the federal legislation and calls for ongoing collaboration between state and federal officials to monitor and improve outcomes for veterans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes a three-year grant program to fund research and development for veteran care, representing new federal funding for essential health services.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates grant program to fund research and development of new treatments for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury, expanding care and mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly supports federal legislation to fund research and improve care for veterans with traumatic brain injury, expanding healthcare services and mental health support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 1209: 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; in veterans' organizations, further providing for grants to veterans' service officer programs and providing for veterans' claims assistance standards; and imposing penalties.

This bill creates a Veterans' Trust Fund in Pennsylvania by adding fees collected from paid veterans' claims assistance providers and directs those funds to support grants for veterans' service officer programs. It establishes new registration and disclosure requirements for individuals and organizations that charge fees to help veterans with benefits claims, requiring them to register annually and provide clear written information about their services and compensation to veterans before working with them. The law exempts government employees, accredited representatives from recognized veterans' organizations, and nonprofit groups from these requirements while maintaining existing protections for free assistance sources.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates Veterans' Trust Fund, funds service officer programs, and establishes protections for veterans seeking benefits assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 376: A Resolution urging the President and Congress of the United States to address the critical issue of veteran suicides by ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides comprehensive and accurate data to inform effective prevention strategies, thereby honoring the sacrifices of all who have served.

This Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 376) urges the federal government to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include National Guard and Reserve veterans' suicides in its annual suicide prevention reports. Currently, VA reports exclude these veterans due to service criteria (like 90 consecutive days of active duty), and misclassify some deaths, creating inaccurate data. The resolution demands the VA adopt comprehensive data collection to better understand suicide risks and develop effective prevention strategies for all veterans. It specifically calls for including National Guard/Reserve suicides and correcting misclassified deaths in VA reports.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill demands VA include National Guard/Reserve suicides in data for prevention strategies, directly strengthening mental health services through accurate data collection for veteran care.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill demands VA include National Guard/Reserve veterans in suicide data, correcting exclusion that creates inaccurate reports and hinders prevention strategies, directly advancing veteran healthcare access and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates training on veteran health conditions (PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma) for medical licensure, directly enhancing mental health care standards for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates veteran-specific healthcare training for medical professionals, addressing PTSD, TBI, and military sexual trauma to improve care access for veterans under MCare Act amendments.95% confidence

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

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