House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Demonstrating a commitment to addressing the educational transition issues of children of military families, the legislature passed the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children Act of 2012 which authorizes the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (“Compact”). This Compact is an agreement among states to minimize school disruptions for military children transferring from one state school system to another.  Families currently eligible for assistance under the Compact include children of: active duty members of the uniformed services; National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders; members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired for one year; and, members killed in action. 

 

I will be introducing a resolution beseeching the State Council on Interstate Educational Opportunity for Military Children and the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission to expand eligibility in the Compact to the children of National Guard and Reserve members who are not serving and have not served on active duty. The geographic dispersion of many National Guard and Reserve families is unique and, at times, can make it more difficult to access various services that are normally available at active-duty installations. For this reason, we should extend eligibility in the Compact to members of the National Guard and Reserve who are in an inactive-duty status to alleviate some of the educational barriers that these military students also experience. This effort also reflects the strong promise that the Commonwealth has made to support and enhance the quality of life of our state’s military and military families.  

Please join me in sponsoring this legislation.