Pennsylvania SB 144: An Act providing compensation to persons in active service in connection with the Global War on Terrorism or their beneficiaries; authorizing the incurring of indebtedness and the issue and sale of bonds by the Commonwealth for the payment of compensation contingent upon electorate approval; establishing the Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond Fund and the Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond Sinking Fund; imposing a penalty; making appropriations; and making a repeal.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 91
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 144
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, BAKER, AUMENT, PENNYCUICK, CULVER, KANE
AND MILLER, JANUARY 22, 2025
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
JANUARY 22, 2025
AN ACT
Providing compensation to persons in active service in
connection with the Global War on Terrorism or their
beneficiaries; authorizing the incurring of indebtedness and
the issue and sale of bonds by the Commonwealth for the
payment of compensation contingent upon electorate approval;
establishing the Global War on Terrorism Veterans'
Compensation Bond Fund and the Global War on Terrorism
Veterans' Compensation Bond Sinking Fund; imposing a penalty;
making appropriations; and making a repeal.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1. Short title.
Section 2. Definitions.
Section 3. Computation of compensation.
Section 4. Application for compensation.
Section 5. Incompetence or death.
Section 6. Designation of beneficiaries.
Section 7. Exemption from attachment.
Section 8. Penalty for charging fees for assisting veterans.
Section 9. Administration of compensation program.
Section 10. Payment of compensation.
Section 11. Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Bond
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Fund.
Section 12. Commonwealth indebtedness.
Section 13. Question.
Section 14. Appropriations.
Section 15. Effective date.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Global War on
Terrorism Veterans' Compensation Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Active service." As follows:
(1) For a member of a component of the armed forces of
the United States, the time served on active duty during the
Global War on Terrorism, as proven by the official military
records of the United States or by other evidence deemed
sufficient by the department.
(2) For a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or a
reserve component of the armed forces of the United States,
time served on active duty for the support of operations in
the Global War on Terrorism whether or not the service was
outside the continental United States, as proven by the
official military records of the United States or by other
evidence deemed sufficient by the department.
(3) The term includes time spent in hospitals as a
result of service-connected wounds, diseases or injuries
sustained on active service, as proven by the official
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military records of the United States or by other evidence
deemed sufficient by the department.
(4) The term does not include time served on active duty
for annual training or schooling, except for training and
schooling in preparation for active duty in the Global War on
Terrorism.
"Compensation." Money awarded to a veteran under this act.
"Department." The Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs of the Commonwealth.
"Facility." A mental health establishment, hospital, clinic,
institution, center, day-care center, base service unit,
community mental health center or other organizational unit, or
part thereof, which is devoted primarily to the diagnosis,
treatment, care, rehabilitation or detention of mentally
disabled persons.
"Fund." The Global War on Terrorism Veterans' Compensation
Bond Fund.
"Global War on Terrorism." The conflict starting September
11, 2001, and ending December 31, 2022, against international
terrorist organizations in operations established by the United
States Department of Defense.
"Issuing officials." The Governor, the Auditor General and
the State Treasurer.
"Legal resident of this Commonwealth." An individual whose
home of record was or is within this Commonwealth without regard
to the place of enlistment, commission or induction, as proven
by the official records of the United States or by other
evidence deemed sufficient by the department.
"Parents." The term includes individuals who, for a period
of not less than one year, acted in the capacity of a foster
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parent to the veteran immediately prior to the veteran having
attained 18 years of age.
"Veterans service officer." An officer of a veterans service
organization trained and accredited by the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to veterans
and their families.
"Veterans service organization." An organization dedicated
to supporting veterans, service members, dependents and
survivors, which is congressionally chartered or recognized by
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Section 3. Computation of compensation.
(a) Eligibility.--Compensation shall be payable to each
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