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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ann
Collis |
State Rep. Richard T.
Grucela |
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Grucela introduces bill to protect reservists enrolled in school
HARRISBURG, May 16 – Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and other United States reservists would no longer be penalized academically if they are deployed before the end of a semester under a bill introduced by state Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton.
“It was recently brought to my attention that a reservist faced with the possibility of redeployment as a college senior would lose credit and tuition paid for the semester,” Grucela said. “Men and women who volunteer to serve their country should not be penalized for that service. This is an issue we need to address immediately.”
Grucela’s legislation (H.B. 1324) would allow any member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or other reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces to take an educational leave of absence.
If a Guard member or reservist was called to active duty, other than active duty for training, the educational institution in which the member is enrolled would grant the member or their spouse a military leave of absence from their education without the loss of academic credits earned or forfeiture of scholarships or grants awarded prior to the commencement of the military duty.
Under the bill, educational institutions also would be required to refund tuition or fees paid, or credit the tuition and fees to the next semester or term when the member returns.
Grucela serves on the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and is chairman of the subcommittee on Military and Veterans Facilities.
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