PRINTER'S NO. 252
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
345
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, COSTA, HUGHES, WILLIAMS, FONTANA,
YUDICHAK, BREWSTER, SMITH, HUTCHINSON AND RAFFERTY,
JANUARY 28, 2015
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
JANUARY 28, 2015
AN ACT
Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in educational gratuity program,
further providing for definitions, for educational gratuity
payments and for eligibility and qualification requirements.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 8701, 8702 and 8703 of Title 51 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes are amended to read:
§ 8701. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commission." The State Veterans' Commission established
under section 1702 (relating to State Veterans' Commission).
"Deceased veteran." A person who served in the armed forces
of the United States or a women's organization officially
connected with the armed forces of the United States, who:
(1) was killed in action or died as a result of wounds
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incurred during a period of war or armed conflict or as a
result of hostile fire or terrorist attack during peacetime,
as determined by the department; or
(2) died in service during a period of war or armed
conflict.
"Disabled veteran." A person who served in the armed forces
of the United States or a women's organization officially
connected with the armed forces of the United States who:
(1) was honorably discharged from the armed forces of
the United States and certified by the United States
Veterans' Administration as a 100% disabled veteran as a
result of any of the following:
(i) service during a period of war or armed
conflict; or
(ii) hostile fire or terrorist attack during
peacetime, as determined by the department; or
(2) was honorably discharged from the military or naval
forces of the United States and died as a result of any of
the following:
(i) a service-connected disability, as certified by
the United States Veterans' Administration, incurred
during a period of war or armed conflict; or
(ii) hostile fire or terrorist attack during
peacetime, as determined by the department.
"Educational institution." Any college or university of the
State System of Higher Education, a State-aided educational or
training institution of a secondary or college grade or other
institution of higher education, a business school, a trade
school, a hospital school providing training for nurses, an
institution providing courses in beauty culture, art, radio or
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undertaking or embalming, or such other educational training
within this Commonwealth approved by the commission.
["Eligible disabled or deceased veteran." A person who
served in the military or naval forces of the United States, or
a women's organization officially connected therewith, who:
(1) was killed in action or died as a result of wounds
incurred during a period of war or armed conflict or as a
result of hostile fire or terrorist attack during peacetime
(as determined by the Department of Military Affairs);
(2) died in service during a period of war or armed
conflict;
(3) was honorably discharged from the military or naval
forces of the United States and certified by the United
States Veterans' Administration as a 100% disabled veteran as
a result of service during a period of war or armed conflict
or as a result of hostile fire or terrorist attack (as
determined by the Department of Military Affairs) during
peacetime; or
(4) was honorably discharged from the military or naval
forces of the United States and died as a result of a
service-connected disability (as certified by the United
States Veterans' Administration) incurred during a period of
war or armed conflict or as a result of peacetime hostile
fire or terrorist attack (as determined by the Department of
Military Affairs).]
"Qualified child." Any child [meeting] of a deceased
veteran or disabled veteran who meets the requirements of
section 8703 (relating to eligibility and qualification
requirements).
§ 8702. Educational gratuity payments.
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(a) General rule.--The commission shall make educational
gratuity payments not exceeding [$500] $1,000 per term or
semester per qualified child to each approved educational
institution upon submission by that approved educational
institution of proof that bills have been incurred or contracted
covering matriculation fees and other necessary fees, tuition,
board, room rent, books and supplies for a qualified child in a
definite amount for the school year.
(b) Records.--The commission shall attach the proof
submitted under subsection (a) to the requisition prepared for
payment out of appropriations made by the General Assembly for
purposes of the educational gratuity payments.
(c) Duration of payments.--Whenever a qualified child is
completing an educational or training course and becomes [23] 25
years of age before completing the course, the educational
gratuity payment may be paid until the course is completed. No
educational gratuity payments may be made for any qualified
child for a period longer than [four] five scholastic years,
provided, however, that the department may adjust the payments
per term or semester per child so that the total payments do not
exceed the amount of the appropriation.
§ 8703. Eligibility and qualification requirements.
(a) Eligibility standards.--The following requirements shall
be used to determine the eligibility of applicants for
educational gratuity payments. The applicant shall be:
(1) Not less than 16 years of age nor more than [23] 25
years of age.
(2) The child of [an eligible disabled] a disabled
veteran or deceased veteran.
(3) A resident of this Commonwealth for a period of
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[five years] one year immediately preceding the date the
application was filed.
(b) Qualification determination.--The commission shall
determine qualified applicants based on the following
requirements:
(1) The applicant meets the requirements of subsection
(a).
(2) The applicant is attending an approved educational
institution.
(3) The applicant demonstrates a financial need for the
educational gratuity.
(c) Appeal.--Any aggrieved applicant may appeal the decision
of the commission to the Adjutant General under the provisions
of Title 2 (relating to administrative law and procedure).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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