Bill Text: PA SB345 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Further providing for compilation of war records and the director of veterans affairs.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 10-6)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-04-03 - Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS [SB345 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SB345-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 327
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 345 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, ROBBINS, SOLOBAY, MENSCH, PIPPY, D. WHITE, BROWNE, COSTA, EICHELBERGER, ERICKSON, FERLO, FONTANA, YAW AND YUDICHAK, JANUARY 31, 2011
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, JANUARY 31, 2011
AN ACT
Amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), entitled,
as amended, "An act relating to counties of the first, third,
fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth classes; amending,
revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating
thereto; relating to imposition of excise taxes by counties,
including authorizing imposition of an excise tax on the
rental of motor vehicles by counties of the first class; and
providing for regional renaissance initiatives," further
providing for compilation of war records and the director of
veterans affairs.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1923(g) of the act of August 9, 1955
(P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, amended October 4,
1978 (P.L.964, No.190), is amended and the section is amended by
adding subsections to read:
Section 1923. Compilation of War Records; Director of
Veterans' Affairs.--* * *
(f.1) (1) In order to be eligible for appointment as a
director of veterans' affairs, a person must maintain a
Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation with the Department
of Military and Veterans Affairs or National Association in
accordance with the provisions of 38 CFR § 14.629 (relating to
requirements for accreditation of service organization
representatives; agents; and attorneys) as a condition of
employment.
(2) The county commissioners shall:
(i) Appoint the director of veterans' affairs.
(ii) Approve compensation for the director of veterans'
affairs as set by the salary board.
(iii) Provide office space, equipment and support staff in
the courthouse or another centrally accessible location.
(g) It shall also be the duty of the director of veterans
affairs to:
(1) Assist the county commissioners in administering the
provisions of this subdivision which relate to the burial of
deceased service persons and their surviving spouses and to
[furnishing] furnish markers and [placing] place headstones on
their graves.
(2) Assist war veterans and their families in securing their
rights as such in matters relating to their person, property and
care of family, under any of the laws of this Commonwealth and
of the United States[, and for such services the director of
veterans affairs shall be entitled to his expenses incurred
therein and additional compensation. Both expenses and
compensation shall be subject to the approval of the salary
board].
(3) Assist the county commissioners in transmitting records
of burial places of deceased service persons to the Department
of Military and Veterans Affairs [of the Commonwealth], for the
use of the Deputy Adjutant General [in charge of Veteran] for
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Veterans Affairs, and otherwise assist the commissioners in
cooperating with the said deputy.
(4) Serve as a local contact between the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs and persons in the armed forces of
the United States who were discharged from such service and the
dependents of such persons.
(5) Advise persons in the armed forces and veterans or their
dependents of Federal, State and county veterans' benefits
available to them.
(6) Aid persons in the armed forces and veterans or their
dependents in completing required Federal, State and local
Veterans' Affairs forms in compliance with current regulations
and policies.
(7) Work under the direct supervision of the county
commissioners and within the guidelines provided by the
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs as determined by the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(h) A director of veterans affairs shall participate in
programs provided by the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs including:
(1) Annual training and refresher courses provided by the
Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs.
(2) Five-year recertification as required by the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans service
officer accreditation.
(i) The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Office
of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs shall
establish a director of veterans affairs training program as
agreed upon in accordance with PSADVA including:
(1) Promulgation of rules and program procedures pursuant to
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the requirements of this subdivision.
(2) Maintenance of training records.
(3) Maintenance of competency scores for purposes of
documenting and monitoring accreditation status.
(4) Annual recertification and qualification.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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