Pennsylvania House Bill HB2024

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/12/25
• Refer: 11/12/25
• Refer: 3/23/26
• Report Pass: 3/24/26
• Engrossed: 3/24/26
• Refer: 3/30/26

Caption

In State Veterans' Commission and Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, further providing for accreditation.

Summary

HB2024 amends Pennsylvania’s Military Affairs title to require the Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans’ Affairs to establish a county director of veterans affairs training program, in coordination with the State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. The bill specifies that the training program must include instruction on a broad range of veteran-related topics, with an emphasis on trauma-informed care and conditions commonly associated with military service, including military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The measure is focused on improving the preparation of county veterans affairs personnel who assist veterans in accessing benefits and services. By adding this requirement to the state’s accreditation framework, the bill seeks to standardize training expectations across counties and ensure that local veterans’ offices are better equipped to respond to complex service needs and trauma-related issues. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Impact

HB2024 would amend section 1731(d) of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by adding a new training requirement to the duties of the Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans’ Affairs. It affects the state veterans’ affairs accreditation structure by directing the office to create a county director training program in agreement with the State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. The practical impact is on county veterans affairs directors and the state office that oversees their accreditation and training, rather than on veterans directly, though veterans may benefit from improved service delivery and trauma-informed support.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee unanimously, was re-reported unanimously by House Appropriations, and then passed the House floor with 198 yeas and 0 nays. The voting history suggests the proposal was viewed as a straightforward, noncontroversial improvement to veterans’ services and training standards.

Contention

No notable contention is reflected in the available record. There are no committee transcripts indicating debate, amendments, or objections, and the recorded votes were unanimous at each stage. If any policy concern exists, it would most likely relate to implementation details for the training program, such as curriculum design or coordination with county directors, but no such dispute is documented in the materials provided.