AN ACT

 

1Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
2Consolidated Statutes, in veterans' pensions and benefits,
3further providing for paralyzed veteran's pension.

4The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5hereby enacts as follows:

6Section 1. Section 7702 of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania
7Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

8§ 7702. [Paralyzed] Amputee and paralyzed veteran's pension.

9(a) Amount and eligibility.--In addition to any other
10assistance provided by the Commonwealth and in addition to any
11compensation provided by the Federal Government, every amputee 
12and paralyzed veteran shall be paid a pension of $150 per month.
13Applications for the pensions shall be made to and in the form
14prescribed by the department. The Adjutant General shall
15determine the eligibility of every applicant for a pension, and
16his decision in the matter shall be final.

17(b) Regulations.--The Adjutant General shall promulgate such

1regulations as may be necessary to implement this program.

2(c) Definition.--As used in this section the term "amputee 
3and paralyzed veteran" means any person who served in the
4military or naval forces of the United States, or any woman's
5organization officially connected therewith, and who gave this
6Commonwealth as his or her place of residence at the time of
7entering the military or naval forces of the United States and
8who, while performing duties connected with such service,
9suffered an injury or incurred a disease which resulted in the
10loss or [loss of use of two or more extremities.] the permanent 
11and severe or complete paralysis of two or more limbs, <-or being 
12defined as having <-a disability compensation rating of 40% or 
13higher in two or more limbs <-at least two limbs with a 40% 
14disability compensation rating or higher in each limb as 
15determined and certified by the United States Department of 
16Veterans Affairs. The term does not include any person separated
17from the military or naval forces of the United States<-[, or any
18woman's organization officially connected therewith,<-] under
19other than honorable conditions.

20Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.