All Roll Calls
Yes: 563 • No: 0
PennsylvaniaHB 8652025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Educational Assistance Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for recoupment of grant . . . payments; and, in Military Family Education Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for limitations and for recoupment of Military Family Education Program grant payments.
Sponsored By: Arvind Venkat (Democratic)
In Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Education grant access for Guard families
Family grants cover benefits assigned by qualifying current Guard members or former members discharged other than dishonorably. Current members must meet the satisfactory-service period set by the Adjutant General. Members must accept a six-year obligation without an overlapping member education program commitment; family recipients must enroll in approved education. Spouses must enroll within six years after the member's separation, medical discharge, or death; good-cause extensions are available. Spouses can withdraw and must receive educational leave when the member is ordered to active duty, including training, for more than 30 consecutive days.
Guard households keep earned education grants
Members and assigned family recipients can keep the earned share of grants after a qualifying early discharge. The discharge must be other than dishonorable and occur before the six-year obligation ends. Qualifying reasons include medical separation not caused by misconduct, the department's or Guard's convenience, or Adjutant General-approved compelling circumstances. Study must begin within two years after discharge and be scheduled to finish within six years after discharge. For compelling circumstances, the Adjutant General can allow members full or partial benefits or extra time to finish.
Lower education grant repayments for Guard
Guard members can owe repayment for failing to complete six years of service or meet other education grant requirements. For both member and family grants, liability under a signed repayment promise is limited to a proportional share. The agency must reduce the debt based on how much of the service obligation the member completed. The Adjutant General must notify the agency when an obligation is not completed and a repayment promise applies.
More education options for Guard members
Pennsylvania National Guard members can get full-time education grants even if they already have a bachelor's degree. Approved education also includes nontraditional paths and related support services for members and eligible family members. Needed remedial, refresher, deficiency, preparatory, and special education courses qualify at approved institutions. Full-time member grants require full-time enrollment and a six-year service commitment without an overlapping family education program commitment. ROTC scholarship recipients generally remain excluded, with limited exceptions for guaranteed reserve duty scholarships. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Renewed education grants for Guard households
Guard members can renew their own education grant eligibility or assigned family grants after completing the prior six-year service obligation. Each renewal requires another six-year commitment. For family grants, the five-academic-year assignment allowance renews with each commitment rather than acting as a lifetime cap. The agency determines equivalent study periods.
Guard grant forgiveness includes family exceptions
The agency must forgive some or all grant repayment after the Adjutant General confirms a qualifying reason for unfinished service. Reasons include death, medical separation not caused by misconduct, discharge for the department's or Guard's convenience, and other approved compelling circumstances. Family grants also list disability as a qualifying reason. If a member's death fails the law's death-related eligibility requirements, family recipients must repay used grants when the agency demands payment. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs must issue implementation policy.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Arvind Venkat
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Abigail Salisbury
Democratic • House
Benjamin V. Sanchez
Democratic • House
Brian Munroe
Democratic • House
Carol Hill-Evans
Democratic • House
Carol Kazeem
Democratic • House
Chris Pielli
Democratic • House
Craig T. Staats
Republican • House
Craig Williams
Republican • House
Daniel J. Deasy
Democratic • House
Donna Scheuren
Republican • House
G. Roni Green
Democratic • House
Gina H. Curry
Democratic • House
Jacklyn Rusnock
Democratic • House
Jacob D. Banta
Republican • House
Jeanne McNeill
Democratic • House
Joanne Stehr
Republican • House
Joe Webster
Democratic • House
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
Democratic • House
John C. Inglis III
Democratic • House
Joseph C. Hohenstein
Democratic • House
Keith S. Harris
Democratic • House
Kristin Marcell
Republican • House
Kristine C. Howard
Democratic • House
Lisa A. Borowski
Democratic • House
Liz Hanbidge
Democratic • House
Malcolm Kenyatta
Democratic • House
Mandy Steele
Democratic • House
Mark M. Gillen
Republican • House
Maureen E. Madden
Democratic • House
Melissa Cerrato
Democratic • House
Melissa L. Shusterman
Democratic • House
Nancy Guenst
Democratic • House
Nikki Rivera
Democratic • House
Robert Freeman
Democratic • House
Sean Dougherty
Democratic • House
Steve Samuelson
Democratic • House
Tarah Probst
Democratic • House
Tarik Khan
Democratic • House
Tina M. Davis
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
committee vote • 6/26/2025
22 0
Yes: 22 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/26/2025
House Bill 865 PN2010, Final Passage
Yes: 50 • No: 0
committee vote • 6/24/2025
11 0
Yes: 11 • No: 0
committee vote • 6/24/2025
11 0
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 5/14/2025
House Bill 865 PN1705, FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 203 • No: 0
committee vote • 5/14/2025
37 0
Yes: 37 • No: 0
House vote • 5/13/2025
House Bill 865 PN0890 A00215
Yes: 203 • No: 0
committee vote • 3/19/2025
26 0
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 32 of 2025
7/7/2025GovernorApproved by the Governor
7/7/2025GovernorPresented to the Governor
7/1/2025HouseSigned in Senate
6/30/2025HouseSigned in House
6/30/2025HouseHouse concurred in Senate amendments (203-0)
6/30/2025HouseRe-reported on concurrence, as committed
6/30/2025HouseReferred to Rules
6/30/2025HouseThird consideration and final passage (50-0)
6/26/2025SenateRe-reported as committed
6/26/2025SenateRe-referred to Appropriations
6/25/2025SenateSecond consideration
6/25/2025SenateFirst consideration
6/24/2025SenateReported as amended
6/24/2025SenateReferred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
5/22/2025SenateThird consideration and final passage (203-0)
5/14/2025HouseRe-reported as committed
5/14/2025HouseRe-committed to Appropriations
5/13/2025HouseSecond consideration, with amendments
5/13/2025HouseRemoved from table
5/12/2025HouseLaid on the table
3/19/2025HouseFirst consideration
3/19/2025HouseReported as committed
3/19/2025HouseReferred to Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
3/11/2025House
Bill Text
PN 2010
6/24/2025
PN 1705
5/13/2025
PN 890
3/11/2025
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