House Committee Advances Legislation Aimed At Expediting Military Veterans, Spouses’ Return to the Classroom
HARRISBURG – Veterans and military and veterans’ spouses who face obstacles when attempting to maintain state teaching certification due to frequent moves would get a boost under legislation authored by state Reps. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Pam DeLissio (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia). The two General Assembly members discussed the legislation Monday at a news conference that followed unanimous passage of
House Bill 2078 by the House Education Committee.
“The idea for the legislation was presented to me by a woman from York County whose husband is retired from the United States Marine Corps,” Phillips-Hill said. “She was frustrated by the number of hoops she had to jump through in order to return to the classroom, even though she moved out of Pennsylvania due to her husband’s service to his country and was certified to teach in the state where they lived.”
House Bill 2078 would expedite processing of completed applications for permanent teaching certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for the following individuals:
• Member of the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component or National Guard
• Veteran
• Spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces
• Spouse of a veteran
“The legislation reduces the fees associated with re-certification and allows individuals who have obtained out-of-state certification to more quickly resume active certification in Pennsylvania,” DeLissio added. “House Bill 2078 will be a great benefit to these qualified teachers and the students who they will teach, in addition to honoring our veterans and their families.”
“This policy will ease and accelerate the transition for our veterans, military members and their spouses when they head back into Pennsylvania schools,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera added. “These educators bring tremendous experience and energy into the classroom, and will be an asset in our education community.”
“This program rightfully gives to those who have raised their right hand and taken an oath to serve our country and their spouses who have sacrificed much a pass to the front of the line when applying for educator certification,” said Pennsylvania’s Interim Adj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli. “A veteran or his or her spouse relocating to Pennsylvania and submitting an out-of-state application for educator certification could see that application take two to three months to be processed.
“With this initiative, that completed application will be expedited and processed within 24-48 hours of submission. By doing this, that military family planning a change of station or where they are going to settle when they leave the service, we insure this isn't just one more thing for them to worry about or be in flux for an extended period of time.”
House Bill 2078 by now be considered by the full House.
Representative Kristin Phillips-Hill
93rd District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RepKristin.com /
Facebook.com/RepKristin
Representative Pam DeLissio
73rdDistrict, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
PaHouse.com/repdelisso,
Facebook.com/delissio
Media Contact: Scott Little
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slittle@pahousegop.com