SB 308 — An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of stipend amounts and for eligibility; and making editorial changes.

HOUSE AMENDED PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

324 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.

896308 THE2025 GENERALINTRODUCED ASSEMBLYBY OFHUTCHINSON, PENNSYLVANIABARTOLOTTA, SENATEKANE, BILLJ. Session of No.

308WARD, 2025FONTANA, INTDUSHDUSH AND PENNYCUICK, MARCH 6, 2025 KANE,REFERRED J.TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, MARCH 6, 2025 AN ACT Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment ofves, stipend amounts and for eligibility;

WARD, FONTANA, AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY JUNE 4, 2025, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, AN ACT Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of changes.amounts and formaking eligibility;editorial changes.

and making editorial The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

SUBCHAPTER B [MEDICAL OFFICER OR HEALTH]HEALTH ] SPECIALTY BRANCH OFFICER INCENTIVE PROGRAM § 3211.

and (3) meets any applicable Federal requirements for the 20250SB0308PN0896 - 2 - Pennsylvania National Guard.

20250SB0308PN0324 - 2 - "Medical officer or health officer." An officer who is any of the following:

"Member in good standing." A member of the Pennsylvania National Guard who meets all medical, training, physical and 20250SB0308PN0896 - 3 - educational requirements for service and who is a satisfactory 20250SB0308PN0324 - 3 - participant in all scheduled duties and training periods.

and (2) meets any applicable Federal requirements for the Pennsylvania National Guard.] "Program." The [Medical Officer or Health]Health ] Specialty Branch Officer Incentive Program.

20250SB0308PN0896 - 4 - "Resident physician." An officer who:

20250SB0308PN0324 - 4 - (1) is assigned to a medical position in the Pennsylvania National Guard;

The [Medical Officer or Health]Health ] Specialty Branch Officer Incentive Program is established within the department to provide educational stipends to eligible [medical officers or health]health ] specialty branch officers in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.

(2) A behavioral health officer, public health officer or environmental science officer who meets the requirements under subsection (c) may receive a stipend of $500 per month for no more than the first 36 accession months of service to the Pennsylvania National Guard.] (3) A medical officer or health care officer who is 20250SB0308PN0896 - 5 - required to have obtained a doctoral degree for entry into 20250SB0308PN0324 - 5 - the officer's military specialty and who meets the requirements under subsection (c) may receive a stipend of $1,000 per month for no more than 48 months of medicine <-- MEDICAL residency or the first 36 accession months of service <-- to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

(4) A medical officer or health care officer who is required to have obtained a master's degree for entry into the officer's military specialty and who meets the requirements under subsection (c) may receive a stipend of $750 per month for no more than 48 months of medicine MEDICAL <-- residency or the first 36 accession months of service to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

(5) A medical officer or health care officer who is required to have obtained a bachelor's degree for entry into the officer's military specialty and who meets the requirements under subsection (c) may receive a stipend of $500 per month for no more than 48 months of medicine MEDICAL <-- residency or the first 36 accession months of service to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

(7) A chaplain who is required to obtain a bachelor's degree, an ecclesiastical endorsement and a seminary graduate degree, who is ordained for entry into the officer's military 20250SB0308PN0896 - 6 - specialty and who meets the requirements under subsection 20250SB0308PN0324 - 6 - (c), may receive a stipend of $750 per month for the first 36 accession months of service to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

(c) Requirements.--In order to qualify for a stipend under subsection (a), a [medical officer or health]health ] specialty branch officer [shall] must meet all of the following:

(3) Agree to serve as a [medical officer or health]health ] specialty branch officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard [after completion of residency or initial service obligation] for a period of one month for each monthly stipend received.

20250SB0308PN0896 - 7 - (5) Meet any applicable Federal requirements for the 20250SB0308PN0324 - 7 - Pennsylvania National Guard.

(d) Receipt of stipend.--A stipend under subsection (a) shall be paid to an eligible [medical officer or health]health ] specialty branch officer whose application for the stipend is approved at the completion of each month of residency or service.

A [medical officer or health]health ] specialty branch officer may not receive a stipend under subsection (a) for more than 48 months during the period of service in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

(e) Adjustments.--If the Adjutant General determines that the amount available for the program in any year will be insufficient to provide stipends in the amount described under subsection (a), the Adjutant General may place a cap on the number of [medical officers or health]health ] specialty branch officers eligible to receive stipends or may adjust the amount of the annual stipend.

To the extent that funds are available, the Adjutant General 20250SB0308PN0896 - 8 - may, by regulation, establish additional incentives to aid in 20250SB0308PN0324 - 8 - the recruitment and retention of [medical officers or health]health ] specialty branch officers in the Pennsylvania National Guard, provided that payment of such additional incentives shall not result in a cap on participation or reduction in the amount of stipends paid under section 3213 (relating to program stipend).

20250SB0308PN0896 - 9 - § 3217.

20250SB0308PN0324 - 9 - Beginning [on January 1, 2016] with calendar year 2026, and every [two] five years thereafter, the Adjutant General may adjust, by notice published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, the amounts of the stipends [set forth] specified in this subchapter by an amount equal to the change in the applicable Consumer Price Index in the preceding [two] five years provided that the Adjutant General finds sufficient funds are appropriated and available to pay for the adjusted stipends.

(3) Serves as a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet in the Pennsylvania National Guard and accepts a Pennsylvania National Guard commission upon graduation from the military 20250SB0308PN0896 - 10 - college.

20250SB0308PN0324 - 10 - (4) Provides proof of United States citizenship.

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