HARRISBURG – The Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) that would clarify the Veterans Preference Law to include veterans who served honorably but were discharged with a disability before completing their initial obligation.
Senate Bill 849 would add an exemption for those with a disability discharge and would ensure that veterans with medical discharges receive the preference with seeking careers within the Commonwealth.
“Under current law, veterans who cannot meet the commitment through no fault of their own are being unfairly punished. They are blocked from receiving the career preference they earned,” said Sen. Stefano, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “I am thankful that my colleagues in the Senate voted to address this injustice, and I look forward to the bill quickly moving through the remainder of the legislative process so it can start helping the men and women who agreed to serve our great country.”
Having received support from the Senate, the legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
CONTACT: Nate Silcox, nsilcox@pasen.gov