Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

August 6, 2026

A Price No Veteran Should Pay

As the saying goes, freedom isn’t free.

Those who have worn the uniform, took the oath and risked their lives know the price all too well. This year, as we celebrate our great nation’s 250th birthday, now more than ever, we must remember, honor and cherish the work of our great veterans.

This, and because I serve as member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Services Committee, is why I work hard on issues related to veterans’ services and why I recently joined in the unanimous support of a new state law that aims to improve services for veterans affected by military sexual trauma.

Act 38 of 2026 will require county directors of veterans affairs to undergo additional training and certification in trauma-informed care, including military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. The goal is to help staff recognize symptoms, reduce potential triggers, and better connect veterans with appropriate services and resources.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly one in three women and one in 50 men in the armed forces report experiencing sexual assault or sexual harassment during military service. The numbers reflect a serious issue known as Military Sexual Trauma (MST). MST includes both sexual assault and severe, repeated sexual harassment experienced during service.

Experts emphasize that actual rates are likely higher because many service members fear retaliation, stigma or damage to their careers if they report incidents. Survivors often face long-term effects such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and challenges with trust or relationships. These experiences can also make reintegration into civilian life more difficult. Understanding the scope of MST highlights why accessible mental health care, confidential reporting systems and ongoing support for veterans are essential.

One’s military service is difficult enough, but being a victim of a sex crime by an assailant who wears a similar uniform is not and should not be an inherent danger of enlisting in the Armed Forces. When it does happen, victims should have access to worthwhile treatment and services.

In addition to Act 38 of 2026, following is a list of recently passed laws to assist veterans and /or active-duty service members:

• Act 30 of 2026 – Improves the Medical Officer and Health Officer Incentive Program with important eligibility changes.  

• Act 42 of 2026 - Requires funeral professionals to notify the county veterans affairs director of the death of a service person and provide the deceased’s family the director’s contact information.

• Act 45 of 2026 - Designates July 27 as “Korean War Veterans Armistice Day” in PA.

• Act 6 of 2025 – Clarifies jurisdiction involving a violation of federal law committed by a child on a military installation.

• Act 21 of 2025 - Removes the requirement that a disability stem from a war or armed conflict when applying for a resident disabled veterans fishing license and also removes the annual fee and reapplication process for 60% to100% disabled veterans. Consolidates licenses for PA National Guard and Reserve Components of the Armed Forces.

• Act 31 of 2025 - Requires a workplace posting of available veterans benefits in workplaces with 50 or more employees.

• Act 32 of 2025 - Clarifies the Military Family Education Program education benefit is applied to each subsequent six-year enlistment by a member of the PA National Guard and allows for debt forgiveness for separation outside of a service member’s control.

• Act 40 of 2025 – Improves the custody process involving any parent subject to a military deployment.

• Act 41 of 2025 - Requires veterans’ service experience to count toward several career and technology educator certifications.

If you’re a veteran, be certain to mark your calendar for my annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 31, 8:30-11 a.m. Open to all veterans in the 55th district and one guest each, the event includes retired Rear Adm. Charles Kubic as guest speaker. He served in the U.S. Navy for 34 years and established Kubic Engineer Group in 2012. Register by Oct. 26 by emailing aadams@pahousegop.com, or calling 724-472-4102 or 724-387-9113.

Here are some additional news topics I would like to share.

Avoid Fraud by Attending my $CAM JAM! - Every day, those who aim to steal our identity or access our financial information are finding new ways to target us. What can we do? Stay one step ahead of them. Join my office, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, the New Kensington Police Department, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Westmoreland Area Agency on Aging and AARP Pennsylvania for a $cam Jam! This free event, which promises to be fun and informative, will take place Tuesday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the New Kensington Senior Center, 1039 Third Ave., New Kensington. Registration is not required but recommended. Call 724-472-4102 or email rsavage@pahousegop.com to register.

LIHEAP to Provide Supplemental Payments - The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is issuing a $100 supplemental payment to households that received Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds in the 2025-26 season and have at least one family member who is a child 6 years old or younger, is age 60 or older or has a disability.

Supplemental payments are being distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider. Eligible households will receive the benefit automatically and do not need to apply. LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by PA DHS. It provides assistance toward a household's heating bill for renters and homeowners. If the household’s supplemental payment is issued to an electric vendor, it could be applied to cooling costs. More information is available at www.PA.gov.

Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program Accepting Applications - The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is seeking applicants for $10 million in funding to support security enhancement projects for nonprofit organizations serving diverse communities throughout the Commonwealth.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program was part of Act 83 of 2019, which directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants are eligible for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization.

More information is available at www.PA.gov. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Sept. 10. 



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com