PRINTER'S NO. 579
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.575
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BANTA, SCHEUREN, PICKETT, GUENST, M. MACKENZIE,
HAMM, STAATS, PIELLI, KENYATTA, RAPP, BARGER, FLOOD, ROWE,
CIRESI, GILLEN AND WATRO, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Titles 51 (Military Affairs) and 53 (Municipalities
Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in
professional and occupational licenses, further providing for
definitions and providing for policy for the award of
academic credit for military training; and making editorial
changes.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 75 heading of Title 51 of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:
CHAPTER 75
[PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL ] LICENSES AND
CREDITS FOR MILITARY SERVICE AND TRAINING
Section 2. Chapter 75 of Title 51 is amended by adding a
subchapter heading to read:
SUBCHAPTER A
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 3. Section 7501 of Title 51 is amended by adding a
definition to read:
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19 § 7501. 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:
" Institution of higher education." Any of the following:
(1) A community college operating under Article XIX-A of
the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the
Public School Code of 1949.
(2) A university within the State System of Higher
Education under Article XX-A of the Public School Code of
1949.
(3) The Pennsylvania State University, the University of
Pittsburgh, Temple University, Lincoln University or any
other institution designated as State-related by the
Commonwealth.
(4) The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
(5) A college established under Article XIX-G of the
Public School Code of 1949.
(6) An institution of higher education located in and
incorporated or chartered by the Commonwealth and entitled to
confer degrees as provided under 24 Pa.C.S. § 6505 (relating
to power to confer degrees) and as provided for by the
standards and qualifications prescribed by the State Board of
Education under 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 65 (relating to private
colleges, universities and seminaries).
(7) A private school licensed under the act of December
15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed
Schools Act.
(8) A foreign corporation approved to operate an
educational enterprise under 22 Pa. Code Ch. 36 (relating to
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30 foreign corporation standards).
* * *
Section 4. Chapter 75 of Title 51 is amended by adding a
subchapter heading to read:
SUBCHAPTER B
PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES
Section 5. Section 7502 of Title 51 is renumbered to read:
§ [7502] 7511. Retention of licenses and certifications of
persons entering military service.
(a) General rule.--Any person licensed or certified by the
Department of State, Department of Labor and Industry,
Department of Education, Insurance Department, Department of
Banking or the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training
Commission or pursuant to the act of October 10, 1974 (P.L.705,
No.235), known as the Lethal Weapons Training Act, to practice
any profession or to work at any trade or occupation, who
heretofore has or shall thereafter enlist or be inducted or
drafted into the military or naval service of the United States
in time of war or preparation for national defense during a
national emergency, shall not thereby forfeit his or her current
license or registration and shall be exempt from any continuing
educational requirements or in-service training requirements.
(b) Renewal of license or certification following
discharge.--A person shall, after presentation of a discharge
from service described under subsection (a) within one year from
the date of discharge and payment of the fee prescribed by law
for the current renewal period only, be entitled to a renewal of
his or her license, certification or registration in the same
manner as though:
(1) The renewal had been made prior to the expiration of
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30 his or her last preceding renewal.
(2) All intermediate renewal fees had been paid.
(3) All continuing education or in-service training
requirements have been satisfied.
(c) Exemptions.--A veteran's military service, education,
training and service experience shall be taken into
consideration by the entities listed under subsection (a) to
determine whether a licensing or certification requirement has
been met by or can otherwise be waived by reason of that
military service, education, training or experience. The veteran
shall only be required to meet a licensing or certification
requirement which has not been met by or waived under this
subsection.
Section 6. Section 7503.1 of Title 51 is amended to read:
§ [7503.1] 7512. Applicability of [ chapter] subchapter.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court may extend this [ chapter]
subchapter to those licensed to practice law in this
Commonwealth.
Section 7. Chapter 75 of Title 51 is amended by adding a
subchapter to read:
SUBCHAPTER C
ACADEMIC CREDIT
Sec.
7521. Policy for the award of academic credit for military
training.
§ 7521. Policy for the award of academic credit for military
training.
(a) Adoption.--The Department of Education shall adopt a
policy for the award of academic credit to a student enrolled in
an institution of higher education who has successfully
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30 completed a military training course or program , or who has
obtained experiential learning, as part of the student's
military service that is applicable to the student's certificate
or degree requirements and is:
(1) recommended for academic credit by a national higher
education association that provides academic credit
recommendations for military training courses or programs;
(2) noted on the student's military transcript issued by
any of the armed forces of the United States, including a
reserve component or National Guard; or
(3) otherwise documented in writing by any of the armed
forces of the United States, including a reserve component or
National Guard.
(b) Duties.--The Department of Education shall develop,
maintain and disseminate to each institution of higher education
a list of military training courses and programs that the
Department of Education has deemed qualified for the award of
academic credit.
(c) Provision of copy.--Each institution of higher education
shall make a copy of the Department of Education's policy for
the award of academic credit for military training courses or
programs available in the public catalog of the institution of
higher education .
Section 8. Section 2167(d) of Title 53 is amended to read:
§ 2167. Police training.
* * *
(d) Mandatory waiver request.--If a police officer is unable
to attend in-service training due to service in the military or
National Guard or as a result of injury sustained in service as
a police officer, the officer's employer shall request a waiver
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30 under section 2164(6) (relating to powers and duties of
commission). A police officer whose employer fails to request a
waiver as required under this subsection shall not be
decertified unless, upon return to service, the officer fails to
participate in such in-service training as the commission deems
appropriate in accordance with this chapter and 51 Pa.C.S. Ch.
75 (relating to [professional and occupational ] licenses and
credits for military service and training ).
Section 9. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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