HARRISBURG, PA — Legislation introduced by State Rep. Chris Pielli (D-Chester) to broaden tuition reimbursement for National Guard enlistment has moved forward, earning approval from the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee.
The bill, H.B. 1102, aims to extend the current tuition reimbursement program to include U.S. Army JAG officers and chaplains, while refining eligibility for medical and health officers. It proposes a tiered reimbursement system, providing financial assistance proportional to the level of education required for these specialized roles.
First established in 2014 under Act 78, the original program has been credited with achieving full staffing in some medical officer roles. However, officials at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) have noted gaps in coverage for other crucial positions, including chaplains and legal officers.
“Over a decade ago, Pennsylvania launched the Medical Officer and Health Officer Incentive program to provide additional financial incentives for skilled medical professionals to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard,” Pielli explained. “The success of this program, the ever-rising costs of education and training, and the need to recruit even more skilled professionals… have shown us that we should expand the program to cover additional critical areas beyond the medical field.”
Pielli is partnering with state Senator Scott Hutchinson (R) on the legislation, which will now move to the full House for consideration. If passed, the expanded support is expected to strengthen recruitment efforts and ensure the Pennsylvania National Guard remains prepared to serve statewide needs.
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