Pennsylvania 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.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1265, 1301 PRINTER'S NO. 1659
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1144
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY D. WILLIAMS, SOLOMON, GILLEN, WATRO, McNEILL,
HANBIDGE, WAXMAN, JAMES, HILL-EVANS, GUENST, DONAHUE, VENKAT,
PIELLI, MERSKI, MALAGARI, PROBST, PICKETT, CERRATO, SANCHEZ,
KENYATTA, MAYES, BANTA, HADDOCK, NEILSON, KHAN, RIVERA,
K.HARRIS, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, GALLAGHER, DOUGHERTY AND WEBSTER,
APRIL 4, 2025
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MAY 7, 2025
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.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 7701 and 7702(a) and (c) of Title 51 of
the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
§ 7701. Blind veteran's pension.
(a) [Definition.--As used in this section the term "blind
veteran" shall mean any person who served in the military or
naval forces of the United States, or any woman's organization
officially connected therewith, at any time, and who gave the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as his or her place of residence
at the time of entering the military or naval forces of the
United States, and who while performing duties connected with
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such service suffered an injury or incurred a disease which
resulted in blindness to the extent that he or she has 3/60 or
10/200 or less normal vision. The term "blind veteran" shall not
include any person separated from the military or naval forces
of the United States, or any woman's organization officially
connected therewith, under other than honorable conditions.]
Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and
phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Blind veteran." A veteran who is a current permanent
resident of this Commonwealth or who gave this Commonwealth as
the veteran's place of residence at the time of entering the
armed forces of the United States, including a reserve component
or the National Guard, and who, while performing duties
connected with such service, suffered an injury or incurred a
disease which resulted in blindness to the extent that the
veteran has 3/60 or 10/200 or less normal vision.
"Discharge papers or separation documents." As defined in
section 7101.2 (relating to definitions).
"Statement of service." As defined in section 7101.2.
"Veteran." An individual who served, as evidenced by the
veteran's discharge papers or separation documents or statement
of service, in the armed forces of the United States, including
a reserve component or the National Guard, after a period of
active duty, other than active duty for training, whose last
discharge or release was under conditions other than
dishonorable as specified under section 104 (relating to
character of discharge).
"VETERAN." AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF
THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING A RESERVE COMPONENT OR THE NATIONAL
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GUARD, WHOSE LAST DISCHARGE OR RELEASE WAS UNDER CONDITIONS
OTHER THAN DISHONORABLE AS SPECIFIED UNDER SECTION 104 (RELATING
TO CHARACTER OF DISCHARGE).
(b) Amount and eligibility.--In addition to any other
assistance provided by the Commonwealth and in addition to any
compensation provided by the Federal Government, every blind
veteran shall be paid a pension of [$150] $200 per month.
Applications for such pensions shall be made to and in the form
prescribed by the department. The Adjutant General shall have
the power, and it shall be his duty to determine the eligibility
of every applicant for a pension, and his decision in the matter
shall be final.
(c) Regulations.--The Adjutant General shall promulgate such
regulations as may be necessary to implement this program.
§ 7702. Amputee and paralyzed veteran's pension.
(a) Amount and eligibility.--In addition to any other
assistance provided by the Commonwealth and in addition to any
compensation provided by the Federal Government, every amputee
and paralyzed veteran shall be paid a pension of [$150] $200 per
month. Applications for the pensions shall be made to and in the
form prescribed by the department. The Adjutant General shall
determine the eligibility of every applicant for a pension, and
his decision in the matter shall be final.
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(c) [Definition.--As used in this section the term "amputee
and paralyzed veteran" means any person who served in the
military or naval forces of the United States, or any woman's
organization officially connected therewith, and who gave this
Commonwealth as his or her place of residence at the time of
entering the military or naval forces of the United States and
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