HARRISBURG, MARCH 24, 2010 — The Senate today unanimously approved state Sen. Mike Stack’s bill that would protect active-duty members’ status in college.
“The men and women who bravely serve this country should not have to worry about their education when they return from active duty,” Stack said. “This common sense legislation eases some academic burden for them.”
Senate Bill 825 would give members of the National Guard returning from active duty a choice to continue their higher education degree under the requirements in place prior to the their military leave, or under the new degree requirements, if their graduation requirements changed while they were deployed.
“Service members put their lives on hold when they are called to duty, and they shouldn’t be deterred from completing their education when they return,” Stack said. “This measure is just one more way that we can thank them for their dedication to Pennsylvania and our nation.”
Upon returning from their leave of absence, the service members’ educational status would be restored to what they had attained prior to being ordered to military duty, without the loss of academic credits earned, scholarships or grants.
Educational institutions would be required to advise the service member in writing or e-mail of their rights set forth in this legislation upon their return from active or state duty.
There are over 19,000 Pennsylvania National Guardsmen and women; of those, 600 are currently deployed around the world and another 6,000 just returned from Iraq.
Stack serves as a captain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28th Infantry Division, Judge Advocate General Corps.
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