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PRINTER'S NO. 1040
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
907
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY ROTHMAN, KRUEGER-BRANEKY, D. COSTA, DAVIS,
DRISCOLL, FREEMAN, GABLER, GILLEN, GROVE, A. HARRIS,
KAVULICH, KINSEY, KORTZ, MACKENZIE, MARSICO, D. MILLER, MURT,
NELSON, READSHAW, RYAN, SAINATO, WARD AND WATSON,
MARCH 21, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, MARCH 21, 2017
AN ACT
Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions, further
providing for heroic service website and providing for
veterans and reservists entrepreneurial training and support;
and making editorial changes.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 97 of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is renumbered to read:
CHAPTER [97] 130
HEROIC SERVICE WEBSITE
Section 2. Section 9701 of Title 51 is renumbered to read:
ยง [9701] 13001. Responsibilities.
* * *
Section 3. Title 51 is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 97
VETERANS AND RESERVISTS ENTREPRENEURIAL
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TRAINING AND SUPPORT
Sec.
9701. Definitions.
9702. Program establishment.
9703. Program components and Department of Community and
Economic Development duties.
ยง 9701. 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:
"Program." The Veterans and Reservists Entrepreneurial
Training and Support Program.
"Reservist." A member of a United States Armed Forces
reserve component or National Guard.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Community and Economic
Development of the Commonwealth.
"Small business." A company that is engaged in a for-profit
enterprise and employs no more than 100 individuals.
"Veteran." An individual who served in the United States
Armed Forces, including a reserve component or the National
Guard, and who was discharged or released from service under
conditions other than dishonorable.
"Veteran-owned small business." A small business owned and
controlled by a veteran. The term shall include a small business
owned and controlled by a member of a United States Armed Forces
reserve component or National Guard.
ยง 9702. Program establishment.
The Department of Community and Economic Development, in
consultation with the department, shall establish the Veterans
and Reservists Entrepreneurial Training and Support Program
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within the Department of Community and Economic Development to
provide small business and entrepreneurial-focused services to
veterans, reservists and the dependents of veterans and
reservists for purposes of assisting the individuals in
obtaining the skills necessary to create, manage and operate a
small business.
ยง 9703. Program components and Department of Community and
Economic Development duties.
(a) Establishment.--In developing the program, the
Department of Community and Economic Development shall establish
the following program components:
(1) A network of veterans and reservists business
centers throughout this Commonwealth. Business centers shall
be colocated at State System of Higher Education universities
or community colleges to maximize innovative potential and
minimize program costs. The secretary shall ensure the
utilization and coordination of available resources,
including, but not limited to, PA CareerLink centers, Small
Business Development Centers and the Ben Franklin Technology
Partners. The number and location of the veterans and
reservists business centers shall be at the discretion of the
secretary, except that veterans, reservists and dependents of
veterans and reservists from all areas of this Commonwealth
must have reasonable access to all services under this
chapter by June 30, 2022.
(2) A strong academic foundation to support ongoing
training and research capabilities.
(3) A sustainable business model to ensure the program
continues beyond its initial start-up period.
(4) Open innovation practices, through ongoing doctoral-
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level research, job training and program evaluation, that
share lessons learned and showcase best practices.
(b) Services.--Services provided through the program must
adequately provide for the unique needs of veterans, reservists
and dependents of veterans and reservists. The training and
development provided must be tailored to address individual
entrepreneurial needs. Each business center established under
this section shall, at a minimum, provide the following
services:
(1) Financial guidance, including training and
counseling on applying for and securing business credit and
investment capital, preparing and presenting financial
statements and managing cash flow and other operations of a
small business concern.
(2) Information seminars on securing loans, business
plan development, marketing, accounting, budgeting and
merchandising.
(3) Assistance for veteran-owned small businesses to
facilitate access to traditional and nontraditional financing
sources.
(4) Counseling for members of reserve components to
prepare their businesses for periods when reservists are
under orders for active duty for a substantial period of
time.
(5) Coordinated services to assist unemployed veterans
and reservists or dependents of veterans and reservists in
becoming entrepreneurs.
(6) Assistance with the Commonwealth procurement
process, the Pennsylvania Small Business Contracting Program
and other federally sponsored and State-sponsored programs
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that provide opportunities for doing business.
(7) Guidance on management, training, planning,
organization, staffing, direction and control of each major
activity and function of a small business concern.
(8) Assistance with marketing and training in marketing,
preparing and executing marketing plans, developing pricing
strategies, locating contracting opportunities, negotiating
contracts and using public relations and advertising.
(c) Coordination.--Whenever possible, the Department of
Community and Economic Development shall coordinate with the
Department of Labor and Industry to effectuate this chapter.
Information provided by the Joint State Government Commission
pursuant to Senate Resolution 255, Printer's Number 1465,
adopted on December 18, 2015, shall be utilized to assist the
department in the implementation of this chapter.
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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