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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl
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Ravenstahl bill would grant military spouses educational leave
HARRISBURG, May 27 – Spouses of members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and other military reservists would not lose their academic credits, scholarships and tuition if their husband or wife is called to active duty, under a bill introduced by state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl.
Ravenstahl, D-Allegheny, said current law provides members of the Pennsylvania National Guard or military reserves an educational leave of absence, but does not address their spouses.
"When a National Guard member or reservist is called to duty, their spouse's life is uprooted as well," Ravenstahl said. "The last thing they should have to worry about is losing credit or tuition when their loved one is serving our country."
Under H.B. 1134, if a Guard member or reservist is called to active duty, other than active duty for training, educational institutions would be required to grant the member or his or her spouse a military leave of absence from their education without the loss of earned academic credits or forfeiture of scholarships or grants they received before the call to active duty.
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.
The bill has 47 co-sponsors and bipartisan support. It is currently being reviewed by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.