PRINTER'S NO. 1178
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.1110
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, MADDEN, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI, FREEMAN,
PROBST, GUENST, SANCHEZ, KAZEEM, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, D. WILLIAMS,
K.HARRIS, RIVERA, FRIEL AND HOWARD, MARCH 31, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, MARCH 31, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for military sexual trauma
awareness; and imposing duties on the Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 100
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA AWARENESS
Sec.
10001. Definitions.
10002. Military sexual trauma awareness campaign.
10003. Evaluation and report.
§ 10001. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
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18 "Campaign." The military sexual trauma awareness campaign
described under section 10002 (relating to military sexual
trauma awareness campaign).
"Military sexual trauma." The experience of sexual assault
or harassment during military service.
"Post-traumatic stress injury." As defined in 35 Pa.C.S. §
75A01 (relating to definitions).
§ 10002. Military sexual trauma awareness campaign.
(a) Implementation.--No later than 180 days after the
effective date of this subsection, the department shall
implement a campaign to increase public understanding of
military sexual trauma to:
(1) Promote awareness of the issue of military sexual
trauma and acceptance for survivors.
(2) Encourage active military members who have
experienced military sexual trauma to officially report any
occurrence of military sexual trauma.
(3) Provide information about military sexual trauma
support resources that are available to active military
members and veterans.
(b) Consultation.--To administer the campaign and ensure
that the messages of the campaign are effectively tailored, the
department shall consult with the following:
(1) Advocacy groups focused on promoting awareness of
military sexual trauma.
(2) Crisis counselors and other mental health
professionals specializing in military sexual trauma or post-
traumatic stress injuries.
(3) Veterans with lived experiences of military sexual
trauma.
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30 (c) Materials and resources.--
(1) To administer the campaign, the department:
(i) Shall utilize a variety of materials and support
resources, including print media, social media graphics,
posters and displays, which shall be:
(A) Posted on the publicly accessible Internet
website of the department.
(B) Designed to be mobile-friendly.
(C) Available in multiple languages, as deemed
necessary by the department.
(D) Designed to ensure effective communication
with the diverse populations and cultures across this
Commonwealth.
(ii) May utilize existing materials and resources,
including military sexual trauma-related materials and
resources developed by the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs.
(2) All materials and resources that are produced by the
department for the campaign must comply with the act of
December 20, 2015 (P.L.497, No.90), known as the Taxpayer-
Funded Advertising Transparency Act.
§ 10003. Evaluation and report.
(a) Initial report.--Within 180 days of the effective date
of this subsection, the department shall submit a report 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. The department shall ensure that the report
includes, at a minimum, the following:
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30 (1) A comprehensive review of the department's efforts
to raise awareness of military sexual trauma and support
resources, detailing activities, key metrics utilized and
budget allocations and expenditures.
(2) Insights or recommendations from the consultations
specified under section 10002(b) (relating to military sexual
trauma awareness campaign).
(3) A summary of ongoing or planned initiatives to
further promote awareness of military sexual trauma and
support resources developed or used to support individuals
with military sexual trauma.
(b) Updated report.--Within one year of the submission of
the report under subsection (a), the department shall submit an
updated report 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. The department shall ensure that the
updated report includes the following:
(1) Information on new campaigns or initiatives to raise
awareness of military sexual trauma and support resources.
(2) The impact of the new campaigns or initiatives under
paragraph (1) on the utilization of in-State military sexual
trauma support resources.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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