AN ACT

 

1Amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), entitled,
2as amended, "An act relating to counties of the first, third,
3fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth classes; amending,
4revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating
5thereto; relating to imposition of excise taxes by counties,
6including authorizing imposition of an excise tax on the
7rental of motor vehicles by counties of the first class; and
8providing for regional renaissance initiatives," further
9providing for compilation of war records and the director of
10veterans' affairs.

11The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
12hereby enacts as follows:

13Section 1. Section 1923(g) of the act of August 9, 1955
14(P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, amended October 4,
151978 (P.L.964, No.190), is amended and the section is amended by
16adding subsections to read:

17Section 1923. Compilation of War Records; Director of
18Veterans' Affairs.--* * *

19(f.1) (1) In order to be eligible for appointment as a
20director of veterans' affairs, a person must maintain a
21Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation with the Department

1of Military and Veterans Affairs or national association in
2accordance with the provisions of 38 CFR § 14.629 (relating to
3requirements for accreditation of service organization
4representatives; agents; and attorneys) as a condition of
5employment.

6(2) The county commissioners shall:

7(i) Appoint the director of veterans' affairs.

8(ii) Approve compensation for the director of veterans'
9affairs as set by the salary board.

10(iii) Provide office space, equipment and support staff in
11the courthouse or another centrally accessible location.

12(g) It shall also be the duty of the director of veterans
13affairs to:

14(1) Assist the county commissioners in administering the
15provisions of this subdivision which relate to the burial of
16deceased service persons and their surviving spouses and to
17[furnishing] furnish markers and [placing] place headstones on
18their graves.

19(2) Assist war veterans and their families in securing their
20rights as such in matters relating to their person, property and
21care of family, under any of the laws of this Commonwealth and
22of the United States[, and for such services the director of
23veterans affairs shall be entitled to his expenses incurred
24therein and additional compensation. Both expenses and
25compensation shall be subject to the approval of the salary
26board].

27(3) Assist the county commissioners in transmitting records
28of burial places of deceased service persons to the Department
29of Military and Veterans Affairs [of the Commonwealth], for the
30use of the Deputy Adjutant General [in charge of Veteran] for 

1Veterans Affairs, and otherwise assist the commissioners in
2cooperating with the said deputy.

3(4) Serve as a local contact between the Department of
4Military and Veterans Affairs and persons in the armed forces of
5the United States<-, persons who were discharged from such service
6and the dependents of such persons.

7(5) Advise persons in the armed forces and veterans or their
8dependents of Federal, State and county veterans' benefits
9available to them.

10(6) Aid persons in the armed forces and veterans or their
11dependents in completing required Federal, State and local
12veterans' affairs forms in compliance with current regulations
13and policies.

14(7) Work under the direct supervision of the county
15commissioners and within the guidelines provided by the
16Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as determined by the
17United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

18(h) A director of veterans affairs shall participate in
19programs provided by the Department of Military and Veterans
20Affairs including:

21(1) Annual training and refresher courses provided by the
22Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs.

23(2) Five-year recertification as required by the United
24States Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans service
25officer accreditation.

26(i) The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Office
27of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs shall
28establish a director of veterans affairs training program as
29agreed upon in accordance with the State Association of County
30Directors of Veterans Affairs, including:

1(1) Promulgation of rules and program procedures pursuant to
2the requirements of this subdivision.

3(2) Maintenance of training records.

4(3) Maintenance of competency scores for purposes of
5documenting and monitoring accreditation status.

6(4) Annual recertification and qualification.

7Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.