Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1294

Introduced
4/23/25  

Caption

Further providing for credit for military service.

Impact

The bill is significant as it standardizes the approach to pension credit accrual among municipalities forming regional police departments. This change supports the financial and administrative efficiency of managing police pension funds across multiple jurisdictions, enabling smoother transitions for officers who move between local forces and regional departments. It establishes a uniform benefit structure while ensuring that officers’ previous service is recognized, thus encouraging collaboration among municipalities in law enforcement.

Summary

House Bill 1294 aims to amend the Municipal Police Pension Law in Pennsylvania by providing enhanced provisions for crediting military service to police officers who become members of regional police departments. The bill specifically addresses how service credits are handled when municipalities collaboratively establish regional police departments through intermunicipal agreements. Under HB1294, police officers joining these departments are entitled to credit for the time previously served in their municipality's police pension fund, thereby acknowledging their contributions to law enforcement prior to the creation of the regional force.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB1294 appears to be largely positive among proponents of police and municipal cooperation, as they view the changes as beneficial for police officers and local governments alike. Supporters argue that the bill helps support the financial integrity of police pensions while promoting regionalization—a trend seen as important for effective law enforcement. Critics, however, might express concerns regarding the administrative burden on smaller municipalities to comply with new regulations or the equitable distribution of pension contributions, though specific opposition details were not highlighted in the discussions.

Contention

While the bill seems to garner support for its potential to streamline police pension management and recognize the service of officers, there might be points of contention regarding how the financial implications of the amended pension credits could affect municipal budgets. As municipalities work collaboratively, there may be disparities in financial capability, affecting how assets and liabilities are transferred between pension funds. Ensuring fair treatment of all participating officers and maintaining financial stability for disbanded forces transitioning to regional control may lead to further debate in legislative discussions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB420

In licensing of drivers, further providing for schedule of convictions and points; in rules of the road in general, further providing for speed timing devices; and, in powers of department and local authorities, further providing for specific powers of department and local authorities.

PA SB464

In municipal pensions, providing for pension service credit for prior service with police department.

PA HB1910

In municipal pensions, providing for pension service credit for prior service with police department.

PA SB753

In associations and organizations, further providing for associations and organizations for mayors; in elections of officers, further providing for eligibility, for officers elected and for decrease in number of members of council; in powers, duties and rights of appointed officers and employees, further providing for appointments and incompatible offices and for police serving under cooperative agreement or contract; in corporate powers, further providing for specific powers; in taxation and finance, further providing for investment of funds; providing for solid waste collection and disposition; in ordinances, further providing for ordinances and resolutions and for publication; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1384

In associations and organizations, further providing for associations and organizations for mayors; in elections of officers, further providing for eligibility, for officers elected and for decrease in number of members of council; in powers, duties and rights of appointed officers and employees, further providing for appointments and incompatible offices and for police serving under cooperative agreement or contract; in corporate powers, further providing for specific powers; in taxation and finance, further providing for investment of funds; providing for solid waste collection and disposition; in ordinances, further providing for ordinances and resolutions and for publication; and making an editorial change.

PA SB429

Further providing for disability benefits and for definitions.

PA HB1379

In membership, contributions and benefits, providing for supplemental annuity commencing 2025; in municipal pensions, providing for 2025 special ad hoc municipal police and firefighter postretirement adjustment; and, in benefits, providing for supplemental annuity commencing 2025.

PA SB654

In sales and use tax, further providing for

PA HB23

Further providing for disability benefits for campus police officers and for definitions.

PA SB843

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission, for Basic Education Funding Commission and for Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness and providing for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; providing for Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students, providing for enrollment of students and further providing for academic programs; in terms and courses of study, further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly reporting; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status; and abrogating regulations.

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