Pennsylvania Passes Three New Laws Supporting Veterans
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed three significant pieces of legislation aimed at improving services and recognition for veterans across the commonwealth. The bills, which recently became law, reflect bipartisan support for honoring and assisting those who have served.
Senate Bill 129 (Act 20 of 2025), sponsored by Sen. Doug Mastriano, updates the structure and responsibilities of advisory councils for Pennsylvania’s veterans homes. The bill enhances oversight and encourages stronger community input to ensure veterans living in these homes receive the highest standard of care.
House Bill 304 (Act 10 of 2025), introduced by Rep. Melissa Cerrato, formally recognizes veterans of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War then became U.S. citizens and now reside in Pennsylvania. The new law acknowledges their service alongside American troops during the Vietnam War, offering them long-overdue recognition and inclusion in veteran-related provisions.
House Bill 799 (Act 31 of 2025), sponsored by Rep. Daniel J. Deasy, requires employers to post information about veterans' benefits and services in the workplace. This ensures veterans and their families are aware of the support and resources available to them, including education, health care, and employment assistance.
Collectively, these new laws represent the commonwealth’s continued commitment to supporting its veteran population. From institutional care to workplace awareness and recognition of allied service members, Pennsylvania lawmakers are working across party lines to address the evolving needs of those who served.
The acts were signed into law between June 30 and July 7, 2025.
Pennsylvania Expands National Guard Family Education Benefits
In a continued effort to support Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) members and their families, Pennsylvania lawmakers have passed House Bill 865 (Act 32 of 2025), which expands access and flexibility within the Education Assistance Program (EAP) and the Military Family Education Program (MFEP), a critical benefit for members of the PNG and their families.
Sponsored by Rep. Arvind Venkat, the bill amends Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, refining key definitions and updating eligibility criteria for the EAP and MFEP benefits. It also expands program eligibility to better align with the real-world needs of Guard members and their families navigating both service obligations and the high cost of higher education.
The EAP provides tuition benefits to eligible PNG members who commit to a six-year service obligation, enabling them to pursue approved post-secondary education. The MFEP, created in 2019, provides tuition assistance to family members of Guard members who commit to six years of service. Under the new provisions in Act 32, PNG members who enter into additional six-year service commitments become eligible for renewed education benefits under either the EAP or MFEP.
The updated law takes effect in September and will benefit both current and incoming Guard members and families in the coming academic year.
Act 32 reflects the commonwealth’s ongoing commitment to supporting service members not just during their time in uniform, but also in providing lasting educational opportunities for their loved ones. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support and was signed into law on July 7, 2025.
With this expansion, Pennsylvania continues to set a national example in recognizing and reinforcing the sacrifices made by service members and their families.