51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7

51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7
in effect

51 Pa.C.S. § 7 Status of certain businesses.

The amendment of 51 Pa.C.S. §§ 9601 and 9602 shall not affect nor impair the status of any of the following under 51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 96 or 74 Pa.C.S.: (1) A veteran-owned small business. (2) A service-disabled veteran-owned small business. Explanatory Note. Act 135 added Chapter 72 and Subchapter A heading of Chapter 96, amended section 9601, added Subchapter B heading of Chapter 96, amended section 9602 and added Subchapter C of Chapter 96 of Title 51.

51 Pa.C.S. § 701 Overall powers of department.

(a) Powers and duties.--The department shall continue to exercise the powers and perform the duties by law vested in and imposed upon the Adjutant General and the department. (b) Designation.--The Department of Military Affairs is designated as the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Contracts, deeds and official actions by the department shall not be affected by the use of the designation by the department as the Department of Military Affairs. The department may continue to use the name Department of Military Affairs on stationery or any official documents until existing supplies are exhausted. The department may substitute the title Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for the Department of Military Affairs on its documents and materials on such schedule as it deems appropriate. (Mar. 21, 1996, P.L.39, No.12, eff. imd.) 1996 Amendment. Section 6 of Act 12 provided that the amendment of section 701 shall be retroactive to December 21, 1995. See sections 3 and 4 of Act 12 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to use of existing forms, stationery, etc., and continuation of current rules and regulations.

51 Pa.C.S. § 702 Duties of department.

The department shall have the power and its duty shall be: (1) To distribute all orders from the Governor as Commander-in-Chief and perform such other duties as the Governor as Commander-in-Chief shall direct. (2) To perform such duties and employ the power delegated to the department and the Adjutant General by the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. (3) To be an office of permanent record for all personnel papers, documents and forms pertaining to the Pennsylvania National Guard except where the laws of the United States require certain papers, documents or forms to be kept permanently in the National Guard Bureau or other department or section of the Department of the Army, or Department of the Air Force, as the case may be; to be an office of permanent record for personnel papers, documents and forms pertaining to the Pennsylvania Guard. (4) To procure from the proper agency of the Department of Defense all authorized equipment, to ensure that such equipment is issued to the Pennsylvania National Guard and to keep all books and records, to account for said property and make those returns and reports concerning it as required by law. (5) To keep in its custody all books and accounts of military property of the Commonwealth issued to Pennsylvania military forces and to safely and properly store such property when not issued. (6) To pay the troops and make all other disbursements by requisition as otherwise provided by law. (7) To supply to all officers, organizations and units, publications of laws, regulations and rules prescribed for use of Pennsylvania military forces. (8) With the approval of the Governor as Commander-in-Chief, to sell or exchange, from time to time, such military stores belonging to the Commonwealth as are found to be unserviceable or in state of decay, or which it may be deemed for the best interest of the Commonwealth to sell or exchange, but if the department is unable to obtain a bid for the property, it may be demolished or destroyed. The destruction of the property shall be witnessed by three disinterested officers of the Pennsylvania National Guard or, when organized, Pennsylvania Guard, and their certificate shall constitute proper authority to issue a voucher for marking off the property. All moneys received for stores so sold shall be paid into the State Treasury through the Department of Revenue. (9) To audit and adjust all claims incident to the organization, training, discipline, maintenance and service of the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania Guard, other than fixed allowances, and to pay such claims when audited and adjusted, but all claims paid thereunder shall be subject to audit by the Department of the Auditor General. (10) To appoint a board of not less than three commissioned officers of the Pennsylvania National Guard for the purpose of investigating claims for damages based on injuries to persons, or damages to property, arising out of accident or negligence, and incident to the organization, training, discipline, maintenance and service of the Pennsylvania National Guard and, upon the recommendation of the board so appointed, to adjust and pay such claims for damages. Each claim shall be in an amount not exceeding $2,500. All claims paid hereunder shall be subject to audit by the Department of the Auditor General. No claim shall be paid under the provisions of this paragraph when such claim has arisen from the operation of Commonwealth owned or Federally owned automobiles, when operated by Commonwealth officers or employees or officers and enlisted personnel of the Pennsylvania National Guard. (11) To investigate the circumstances and to determine the amount of relief or pension payable as a result of the death or disability of a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard; to establish rules governing the filing of claims for pension or relief and to grant such pension or relief, under the laws of this Commonwealth concerning members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. (12) To investigate the circumstances and adjudicate in accordance with Title 2 (relating to administrative law and procedure) complaints of violations of Chapters 41 (relating to rights and immunities) and 73 (relating to military leave of absence), including complaints of employment discrimination against and violation of reemployment rights of members of the National Guard and other reserve components of the armed forces of the United States. The authority granted in this paragraph shall not extend to those circumstances that the Federal Government has jurisdiction to investigate. (Dec. 17, 1990, P.L.700, No.174, eff. imd.) 1990 Amendment. Act 174 added par. (12), retroactive to August 1, 1990.

51 Pa.C.S. § 703 Administration, supply and supervision of military forces.

The department shall be specifically responsible for the administration and supply of the Pennsylvania military forces and shall have general supervisory function of all matters pertaining thereto. The department shall make periodic reports, as required by law or requested by the Governor or the Department of Defense, concerning the condition and state of the readiness of the Pennsylvania military forces.

51 Pa.C.S. § 704 Advisory councils for veterans' homes.

(a) Establishment of advisory council.--There is hereby established an advisory council for each veterans' home operated by the Commonwealth to provide stakeholders with a means to advise the Adjutant General on the resident care, management, operations and compliance of facilities and services in veterans' homes to ensure high-quality health care and well-being for residents of veterans' homes. Each advisory council shall consist of 15 members and the Adjutant General or the Adjutant General's designee, who shall serve ex officio. The following shall apply: (1) Ten of the members shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of nominations submitted to the Adjutant General by the Pennsylvania War Veterans' Council. Appointees under this paragraph shall be veterans from the local community of the veterans' home. (2) Three of the members shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of nominations submitted to the Adjutant General by current residents of the veterans' home and shall include a family member of a current or former resident of the veterans' home. (3) The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall each appoint one member from their respective bodies to serve on each council. (4) The department shall designate a subject matter expert to attend each advisory council's meeting to provide input on the resident care, management, operations and compliance of facilities and services in each veterans' home. (b) Term of office and officers.-- (1) Each member of the councils appointed from the General Assembly shall serve for the duration of that General Assembly. Except as provided under paragraph (2), the thirteen members appointed by the Governor shall serve a term of three years. (2) The initial thirteen members selected by the Governor on or after the effective date of this paragraph shall serve as follows: four members for one year, four members for two years and five members for three years as designated by the Governor. (3) Each council shall organize as soon as possible and shall annually elect a president, vice president and secretary from the voting members. (c) Removal for cause.--The members appointed by the Governor may be removed by the Governor for cause. (d) Quorum and time of meetings.--Six members of a council shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the council. Each advisory council shall meet at least quarterly and at other times at the call of the president. Each advisory council shall conduct meetings in accordance with 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings). (e) Expenses.--Members of each advisory council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall receive reimbursement for their necessary and proper expenses for attendance at meetings. (f) Power and duty of advisory councils.--Each veterans' home advisory council shall advise the Adjutant General as to the resident care, management, operation and the compliance of facilities and services at their respective homes. (g) Annual reports.--Each advisory council shall submit an annual report to the department that identifies the work of the advisory council, includes an overall assessment of the resident care, management, operations and compliance of facilities and services in each veterans' home and provides recommendations. The department shall submit a consolidated report on the annual reports submitted by each advisory council under this subsection to the Adjutant General and the chair and minority chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate and the chair and minority chair of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives no later than January 30, 2026, and each year thereafter. (Nov. 26, 1978, P.L.1207, No.283, eff. imd.; Oct. 16, 1998, P.L.780, No.96, eff. 60 days; June 30, 2025, P.L.71, No.20, eff. imd.) 2025 Amendment. Act 20 amended subsecs. (a), (b), (d) and (f) and added subsec. (g). Section 2 of Act 20 provided that the amendment or addition of subsecs. (a)(1) and (2) and (b)(1) and (2) shall apply upon the expiration of a member's term on the advisory council appointed by the Governor before the effective date of section 2. 1978 Amendment. Act 283 added section 704.

51 Pa.C.S. § 705 Burial details for veterans.

(a) Authority.--The department shall have the power to arrange for burial details for veteran soldiers who are to be interred at any of the following national cemeteries: (1) Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. (2) National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. (3) Washington Crossing National Cemetery. (b) Contracts.--(Repealed). (c) Terms.--Any burial detail contract entered into under this section shall include the following terms: (1) A minimum of three veterans shall participate in the burial detail. (2) The veterans shall be similarly uniformed and equipped. (3) A bugler shall perform taps or a recording of taps may be played over the tape recording system of the cemetery. (4) The party under the contract shall indemnify and hold harmless the department and the Commonwealth from any claims arising out of the performance of the burial details. (d) Insurance.--Any veterans organization, the members of which perform a burial detail pursuant to this section, shall provide liability insurance for the burial details in such amount as prescribed by the department. (e) Regulations.--The department shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to carry out this section. (May 7, 1998, P.L.355, No.56, eff. July 1, 1998; Sept. 25, 2008, P.L.1068, No.85, eff. imd.; July 7, 2011, P.L.217, No.38, eff. 60 days; July 11, 2022, P.L.540, No.54, eff. imd.) 2022 Repeal. Act 54 repealed subsec. (b). 2011 Amendment. Act 38 amended subsec. (a). 1998 Amendment. Act 56 added section 705.

51 Pa.C.S. § 705.1 Burial benefits.

(a) Notice of deceased serviceperson to county.-- (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a licensed funeral director, funeral entity or cemetery company shall, within 96 hours of receipt of the remains of a deceased serviceperson, notify the county director of veterans affairs of a deceased serviceperson having legal residence in the county at the time of death and provide the family of the deceased serviceperson with the contact information for the county director of veterans affairs. (2) Paragraph (1) shall only apply to a cemetery company if the cemetery company provides interment for the cremated remains of a deceased serviceperson for whom a licensed funeral director or funeral entity provided no goods or services. (b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Cemetery company." As defined in 9 Pa.C.S. § 101 (relating to definitions). "Deceased serviceperson." As defined in 16 Pa.C.S. § 15508 (relating to definitions). "Funeral entity." As defined in 49 Pa. Code § 13.1 (relating to definitions). "Licensed funeral director." As defined in 49 Pa. Code § 13.1. (July 20, 2026, P.L. , No.42, eff. 60 days) 2026 Amendment. Act 42 added section 705.1.

51 Pa.C.S. § 706 Cooperative agreements.

The department may enter into cooperative agreements with the Federal Government to perform certain military or training functions. A cooperative agreement shall contain any appendixes and supplements necessary to allow for the performance of those functions and reimbursement by the Federal Government. (May 7, 1998, P.L.355, No.56, eff. July 1, 1998) 1998 Amendment. Act 56 added section 706.

51 Pa.C.S. § 707 Training areas.

(a) Acquisition.--Upon the request of the Adjutant General and with the approval of the Governor, the Secretary of General Services is authorized to purchase, lease or obtain the right to use any real estate or building necessary for military training or preparedness of the Pennsylvania National Guard. (b) Primary training site.--Fort Indiantown Gap shall be the primary training site for the Pennsylvania National Guard. (c) Alternate training sites.--All State armories, real estate and buildings purchased, leased or utilized for stationing, quartering, training or deploying members of the Pennsylvania National Guard are alternate training areas for use by the Pennsylvania National Guard. (d) Short-term uses of real property.--The Adjutant General is authorized to enter into agreements for the short-term use of real property on behalf of the Commonwealth for the purpose of obtaining areas for military training or emergency operations. For the purpose of this section, short-term use shall not exceed 30 days. (May 7, 1998, P.L.355, No.56, eff. July 1, 1998) 1998 Amendment. Act 56 added section 707.

51 Pa.C.S. § 708 Fort Indiantown Gap.

(a) Operation.--The Adjutant General is authorized to promulgate rules, regulations and policies for the continuing operation of Fort Indiantown Gap. (b) Lease of installation.--The Adjutant General is authorized to enter into agreements with the Federal Government and state governments for the purpose of permitting soldiers under their command to use the real estate and equipment at Fort Indiantown Gap for military training purposes. (c) Real estate.--Upon the request of the Adjutant General and with the approval of the Governor, the Secretary of General Services is authorized to purchase lands adjacent to Fort Indiantown Gap and to accept on behalf of the department and the Commonwealth any improvements or appurtenances to the lands comprising the installation. (d) Morale, recreation and welfare.--The Adjutant General is authorized to operate facilities and organize activities and programs at Fort Indiantown Gap for the purpose of improving the morale, welfare and quality of life of service members, military dependents and veterans. The Adjutant General is also authorized to enter into concession agreements with private organizations for the continued operation of a canteen, exchange, commissary, restaurant or other enterprise which will improve the morale or welfare of active, retired or reserve members. These operations, facilities, activities and programs must be financially self-sustaining, and any income, including fees and charges, derived from the concession agreements and the operation of the facilities, activities and programs shall be deposited by the Adjutant General with a bank or trust company. Moneys in the account may only be used for the continued operation of the facilities, activities or programs at Fort Indiantown Gap. Any Federal funds specifically designated to assist the Adjutant General in implementing this subsection are hereby appropriated to the department for these purposes. No General Fund moneys or other State funds shall be used for the purposes authorized under this subsection. An audit of all accounts under this subsection must be conducted annually on the State fiscal year basis, and the department shall provide a copy of the audit to the Secretary of the Budget. (e) Offense.--A person who violates a rule or regulation promulgated under this section and designated by the Adjutant General as being for the protection of persons or property at Fort Indiantown Gap commits a summary offense. (May 7, 1998, P.L.355, No.56, eff. July 1, 1998; Oct. 27, 2010, P.L.872, No.89, eff. 60 days) 2010 Amendment. Act 89 added subsec. (e). 1998 Amendment. Act 56 added section 708.

51 Pa.C.S. § 709 Operation of State-owned vehicles.

(a) Authority.-- (1) The department shall have the authority to order members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to operate State-owned vehicles for the purpose of providing security to military facilities and other facilities within this Commonwealth. (2) Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard may operate State-owned vehicles in response to an emergency when ordered to duty by the Governor or the President of the United States. (3) For purposes of this subsection and notwithstanding any other provision of law, members of the Pennsylvania National Guard shall be considered State employees or officers for the authorization of the use of State-owned vehicles by the Department of General Services. (b) Liability.--For purposes of this section and notwithstanding any other provision of law, members of the Pennsylvania National Guard shall be considered employees of the Commonwealth for tort liability and immunity purposes. A member of the Pennsylvania National Guard shall not be liable for an act or omission in good faith on the part of the member of the Pennsylvania National Guard when operating or maintaining a State-owned vehicle under this section. Good faith under this subsection shall not include willful misconduct, gross negligence or recklessness. (c) Rules and guidelines.--The department, in consultation with the Department of General Services, shall establish rules and guidelines for the implementation of this section. (Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1649, No.210, eff. imd.; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1933, No.124, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 710 Pennsylvania Veterans' Monuments and Memorial Trust Fund.

(a) Establishment and administration.--There is established a separate fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Pennsylvania Veterans' Monuments and Memorial Trust Fund. The fund shall be administered by the department, and all moneys in the fund are appropriated to the department on a continuing basis for the purposes provided for under subsection (b). The State Veterans' Commission shall assist the department in accordance with section 1704(1) (relating to specific powers and duties). (b) Purpose.--The moneys in the fund shall be used for the promotion, administration, operation, maintenance and completion of the monuments and memorials dedicated to Pennsylvania veterans and military units and other costs incidental thereto as approved by the department. (c) Contributions and solicitation of funds.-- (1) The department is authorized: (i) To accept, on behalf of the Commonwealth, gifts, donations, legacies and usages of money from individuals, organizations, public or private corporations and other similar entities. (ii) To solicit and raise moneys from public and private sources. (2) All money received or raised under this subsection shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the fund. (3) The department may use up to 2% of the available funds as of October 31 of each calendar year to administer the fund in accordance with this section. (d) Operation and maintenance.--Money must be granted for the operation and maintenance of monuments as designated by the department in consultation with the State Veterans' Commission. At a minimum, the following monuments will receive funding, as needed, for operation and maintenance: (1) The Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial on the grounds of the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. (2) American battle monuments located overseas officially owned or recognized by the Commonwealth. (3) Pennsylvania unit monuments and markers within the Gettysburg National Military Park. (4) Other Pennsylvania military memorials and monuments as designated or recognized by the department. (June 30, 2003, P.L.16, No.8, eff. June 30, 2005; June 28, 2018, P.L.432, No.64, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 711 Installation of police officers for Fort Indiantown Gap and other designated Commonwealth military installations and facilities.

(a) Appointment.--The Adjutant General may issue commissions to Commonwealth employees of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to act as installation police officers at Fort Indiantown Gap and other Commonwealth military installations and facilities designated by the Adjutant General. (b) Training.--Any employee commissioned under this section shall, prior to exercising the powers and duties described in this section, have successfully completed a course of training approved under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal police education and training). Installation police will, during the course of their employment, undertake and complete such periodic training as is required under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D. (c) Powers and duties.--Subject to such administrative limitations or restrictions as the Adjutant General may prescribe, installation police employed under this section shall have the power and duty to: (1) enforce good order on the grounds and in the buildings of Fort Indiantown Gap or other designated military installation or facility; (2) protect the grounds and buildings of Fort Indiantown Gap or other designated military installation or facility; (3) exclude disorderly persons from the grounds and buildings of Fort Indiantown Gap or other designated military installation or facility; (4) adopt whatever means necessary for the performance of their duties; (5) exercise the same powers as are now or may hereafter be exercised under authority of law or ordinance by the police officers of municipalities within this Commonwealth, including, but not limited to, those powers conferred pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 89. Subch. D (relating to municipal police jurisdiction); (6) prevent crime, investigate criminal acts, apprehend, arrest and charge criminal offenders and issue summary citations for offenses committed on the grounds and in the buildings at Fort Indiantown Gap or other designated military installation or facility and prefer charges against offenders under the laws and procedures of this Commonwealth. For the purposes of applying the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 89 Subch. D, the grounds and within 500 yards of the boundary of Fort Indiantown Gap or other designated military installation or facility shall constitute the primary jurisdiction of the installation police; (7) order off the grounds and out of the buildings of Fort Indiantown Gap or other designated military installation or facility all vagrants, loafers, trespassers and persons under the influence of liquor and, if necessary, remove them by force and, in case of resistance, arrest such offender in accordance with the laws and procedures of this Commonwealth; and (8) arrest any person who damages, mutilates or destroys the trees, plants, shrubbery, turf, grass plots, benches, buildings and structures or commits any other offense on the grounds and in the buildings of Fort Indiantown Gap or other designated military installation or facility and prefer charges against such offender under the laws and procedures of this Commonwealth. (d) Municipal agreements.--The Adjutant General and municipalities where Fort Indiantown Gap and other designated military installations or facilities are located are authorized to enter into agreements for the concurrent exercise of those powers and duties conferred pursuant to a cooperative police service agreement in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. § 8953 (relating to Statewide municipal police jurisdiction). When so acting, the installation police shall have the same powers and immunities granted to police officers in 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 89 Subch. D. (e) Status.--When acting within the scope of the authority of this section, installation police are at all times employees of the Commonwealth and shall be entitled to all of the rights and benefits accruing therefrom. Installation police commissioned under this section are "peace officers" for the purposes of 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 (relating to general principles of justification). This section does not change the status of installation police officers for the purposes of the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public Employe Relations Act, or cause installation police officers to be considered policemen for the purposes of the act of June 24, 1968 (P.L.237, No.111), referred to as the Policemen and Firemen Collective Bargaining Act. (Oct. 27, 2010, P.L.872, No.89, eff. 60 days) 2010 Amendment. Act 89 added section 711. Cross References. Section 711 is referred to in section 2168 of Title 53 (Municipalities Generally); section 5102 of Title 71 (State Government).

51 Pa.C.S. § 712 Veterans registry.

(a) Establishment of veterans registry.--The department shall establish a registry of veterans residing in this Commonwealth in order to provide information on Federal, State and local government benefits, programs and services available to veterans and to link veterans with resources that can provide assistance. Upon registration, if permission is granted by the registrant, the registrant's information shall be shared with county directors of veterans affairs and other State agencies. (b) Coordination with State agencies.--The department shall coordinate with other State agencies that have contact with veterans to establish a paper and an online registry form to enable State agencies to assist the department in registering veterans who wish to be included in the registry. (c) Duties of department.--The department shall provide access to a paper and an online registry form which contain a statement indicating the purpose for the registry. The forms shall be developed to obtain the following information relating to the veteran: (1) Personal information, including title, first, middle and last name. (2) Age, gender, address and county of residence. (3) Ten-digit phone number and e-mail address. (4) Declaration of military service. (5) Benefit and program information requests for various benefits and programs for which veterans may be eligible. (6) A signed statement, or, for online applicants, a box that is checked, indicating that the veteran grants permission for the department to store and share the veteran's information with the county director of veterans affairs for the county indicated and with other State agencies to ensure that the Commonwealth provides the veteran assistance in receiving earned benefits. (7) The State agency which assisted the veteran. (d) Duties of State agencies.--State agencies under subsection (b) shall: (1) Utilize the paper or online registry form to develop a mechanism to identify veterans the agency serves for the purpose of expanding the registry. (2) For each veteran who wishes to be included in the registry, provide assistance in filling out the paper or online registry form for the department to add the veteran to the registry. (3) Submit a registrant's paper registry form to the department within 30 days from the date the veteran opts into the registry. (e) Use of information.--Information collected under this section may not be sold or used for commercial purposes or used for purposes not specified under this section. Information collected under this section for the registry shall be exempt from being disclosed under the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law. (e.1) Community outreach.--The department may transmit information collected under this section to veteran and community outreach partners who participate in community outreach under the PA VETConnect Program or any program administered by the department. (f) Report.--By February 1 of each year, the department shall submit to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee of the House of Representatives a report on the registry which shall include: (1) The total number of veterans registered with the department annually. (2) The number of registrants received by each State agency. (3) (Deleted by amendment). (4) Outreach expenses incurred by the department. (g) Guidelines.--The Adjutant General may adopt and promulgate guidelines necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. (Dec. 22, 2017, P.L.1224, No.69, eff. 60 days; July 17, 2024, P.L.835, No.71, eff. 60 days) 2024 Amendment. Act 71 amended subsec. (f) and added subsec. (e.1). 2017 Amendment. Act 69 added section 712.

51 Pa.C.S. § 713 Civil Air Patrol.

(a) Liaison.--The department shall be a liaison for the Civil Air Patrol and shall, notwithstanding any law, provide administrative support in accordance with this section and within the limits of authorized appropriations. (b) Supervision.--The department shall: (1) Receive, grant and supervise the expenditure of State funds appropriated by the General Assembly or secured by the Commonwealth for the use and benefit of the Civil Air Patrol within this Commonwealth. (2) Supervise the maintenance and use of Commonwealth facilities used by the Civil Air Patrol. (3) Receive, from the Commonwealth or the Commonwealth's instrumentalities, requests for approval for assistance by the Civil Air Patrol in natural or man-made disasters or emergency situations. A requested and approved mission must be approved or denied in accordance with Federal procedures and in consultation with the Adjutant General or the Adjutant General's designee and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. (c) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to limit, diminish or impair an authority, right or agreement validly established and existing on the effective date of this section. (d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Assistance." The term shall include, but is not limited to, the following missions: (1) Search and rescue. (2) Disaster relief support. (3) Homeland security. (4) Emergency transport services. (5) Communications support. (July 2, 2019, P.L.384, No.60, eff. 60 days) 2019 Amendment. Act 60 added section 713.

51 Pa.C.S. § 714 PA VETConnect Program.

(a) Establishment.--The PA VETConnect Program is established. (b) Participants.--The program may include Federal agencies, State agencies, county directors of veterans' affairs, veterans' service organizations, accredited postsecondary educational and technical institutions, the health care provider community, businesses and nonprofit organizations. (c) Purpose.--The program shall: (1) Improve the health and well-being of veterans and the families of veterans through referrals, community engagement and consistent network communication. (2) Organize participants under subsection (b) to cooperate with network partners to provide for proactive solutions to address the problems faced by veterans. (d) Requirements.--Program requirements shall be determined by the department and information shall be disseminated to the greatest extent possible on how to best navigate and utilize available resources to improve the health and well-being of veterans and the families of veterans. (e) Duties of department.--The department shall develop and administer the program, which shall contain a mission statement that shall be clearly communicated to network advocates, partners and participants under subsection (b). The department shall: (1) Coordinate with Federal agencies, State agencies, county directors of veterans' affairs, veterans' service organizations, accredited postsecondary educational and technical institutions, the health care provider community, businesses and nonprofit organizations, identified by the department, that provide programs, initiatives, reintegration outreach and related services to veterans and the families of veterans. (2) Provide Pennsylvania Salutes You for Your Service information to recently separated service members. (3) Provide information regarding program initiatives, resources, training opportunities, veterans' service organizations and services available to be utilized by individuals or groups who support veterans and their families as volunteers and offer outreach and support for veterans. (4) Coordinate with county directors of veterans' affairs by providing information of veterans who request support for Federal and State benefits and programs. (5) Coordinate with veterans' service officers from veterans' service officer grant programs or other veterans' service officers to assist veterans in applying for Federal veterans benefits. (July 17, 2024, P.L.833, No.70, eff. 60 days) 2024 Amendment. Act 70 added section 714.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=51Fetched: 10/16/2026