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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. Sean Ramaley
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House passes Ramaley bill that would give returning soldiers
a helping hand in getting back into the workforce
HARRISBURG, April 26 – Pennsylvanians on the front line of defense would be at the front of the line for job training opportunities under legislation passed by the House this week. House Bill 331, sponsored by state Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver/Allegheny, would give Pennsylvania National Guard members, Reservists -- and their spouses during activation -- preferential treatment in state job-training programs.
“Too often we hear about National Guard members and reservists coming back from active duty and losing their homes to foreclosure or having other financial difficulties, which they experience from being away from their jobs during their time of service,” Ramaley said. “What this bill would do is allow our service personnel to fit back into the economy when they return from service, or enable their spouses to receive retraining opportunities while their loved ones are defending our freedom.”
The legislation is intended to work similarly to other veterans’ preference programs. It would not guarantee direct placement into a program, but simply allow Guard members, Reservists, and their spouses to receive priority consideration in any program under the state’s Workforce Development Act for up to one year after their discharge from active-duty assignment.
The legislation passed the House unanimously and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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