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Legislation to Help Military, Vets & Families Enacted
New Laws Increase Benefits,
Provide Assistance, Help in Education
HARRISBURG -- The
General Assembly has passed and the Governor has signed into law several
measures that significantly upgrade the benefits for veterans, members of the
Pennsylvania National Guard and reserves and their families, according to of the
Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairman Don White
(R-41st) and Vice Chairman Bob Robbins (R-50th).
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Act 83 of 2005 provides
that military reservists -- who had their education interrupted because of
military duty and are now again enrolled in college -- can continue to use
their parents health insurance beyond the maximum age set in their parents'
insurance policy.
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Act 82 of 2005 extends
eligibility requirements for the National Guard Educational Assistance
Program for up to one year for members of the Guard who are activated.
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Act 65 of 2005 provides
for the administration of the Military Family Relief Assistance Fund by the
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Applicants must show an
immediate financial need as a result of the military service of the service
member.
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Act 62 of 2005 adds an
additional 15 days of annual paid leave for National Guard and reserve
members who are employed by the Commonwealth and its instrumentalities, when
engaged in training or other military duty under orders by federal or state
law.
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Act 60 of 2005 prohibits
insurance companies from penalizing deployed soldiers who elect to defer
their motor vehicle insurance while deployed out of state.
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Act 59 of 2005 increases
the death benefits for personnel who die as a result of performance of state
active duty from $50,000 to $100,000, and includes heart attacks as a
compensable line of duty death during state active duty.
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Act 40 of 2005
established a check-off box on state tax returns for donating to the
Military Family Relief Assistance Fund.
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Acts 20 and 21 of 2005
allow certain deployed National Guard members and reserves to purchase for
$1 hunting and fishing licenses, respectively.
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Act 19 of 2005 allows
prisoners of war (POWs) to purchase hunting licenses for $1.
“We must never forget all of
the Pennsylvanians who have served our nation in the past and the thousands now
serving around the world. It is not easy for them to put aside their civilian
lives and leave their families, yet they do, and they serve with honor. These
new benefits are our way of showing our deepest appreciation for their service,”
Senator White said.
“These new laws will not
make their jobs any less dangerous, but will provide some practical help as they
face their challenges as citizen-soldiers,” said Senator Robbins. “As long as
our service men and women are in harm's way, I am looking forward to assisting
them in any way possible.”
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