Pennsylvania Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts (Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact): Pennsylvania Bill Introduced

Demographic Data

State residents include:

7,152 active-duty service members
2,756 active-duty spouses
5,211 active-duty children
37,327 National Guard and reserve members
15,070 National Guard and reserve spouses
22,822 National Guard and reserve children

Data source: DMDC, Aug. 31, 2024.

Christopher Arnold

Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison

Mid-Atlantic Region

DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became Mid-Atlantic liaison in 2020. Prior to joining the DSLO, he spent eight years as a top-level staffer in both houses of the New York legislature, four years as director of public affairs in New York's third-largest city and three years managing several units of county government. Mr. Arnold is a former journalist and U.S. Army combat veteran.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Access to Quality Child Care

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts5/17 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

02/05/2025HB 80

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

01/27/2025HB 365

01/23/2025SB 331

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

04/23/2025HB 1127

01/23/2025SB 81

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

06/28/2022SB861

01/18/2022SB861

07/07/2022

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Pennsylvania became the twenty-second state to join REPLICA on July 7, 2022, thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Pat Stefano.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

09/21/2023SB 843

12/13/2023SB 843

12/13/2023

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Final Legislation

Pennsylvania became the 11th state to join Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact when Governor Shapiro signed Act 35 of 2023.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

03/06/2025HB 668

04/23/2025SB 604

Nurse Licensure Compact

03/18/2021HB966

05/12/2021SB115

06/28/2021

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

Pennsylvania joined the Nurse Compact in 2021 after working with stakeholders including the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, who spent five years studying the implementation of the NLC in other states. Survey results from fifteen of those states "were overwhelmingly positive. Reservations initially expressed by some groups, such as significant lost revenue to the State Board of Nursing or public safety concerns, have not materialized."

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

02/04/2025HB 482

04/23/2025SB 571

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

09/29/2020HB862

11/19/2020HB862

11/25/2020

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Final Legislation

The Physical Therapy Compact Licensure is a contract which allows physical therapists and physical therapy assistants in participating states to practice in any of the other participating states under its laws and rules without being licensed in each state if they hold a current valid license in their home state.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Physician Associates Compact

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

11/18/2019SB67

04/29/2020SB67

05/08/2020

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

Pennsylvania joins the Interjurisdictional Compact for Psychology (PSYPACT).

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Social Work Licensure Compact

02/13/2025HB 554

04/23/2025SB 583

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

06/28/2022HB1868

11/10/2021HB1868

07/11/2022

Military Spouse Employment and Economic Opportunities Final Legislation

Representative Zach Mako sponsored Act 35 of 2022, which requires occupational boards to include a question to determine if a license applicant is a service member, veteran, or military spouse, in order to expedite their application. The law also provides for temporary licenses while pursuing a crosswalk to meet the training and education required for a full license.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/12/2025HB 562

State Support for Military Families With Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

Reduce Burdens

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/24/2025SB 436

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Recognize MPOs

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds

Military Community Representation on State Boards and Councils2/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Military Affairs

10/06/2014

Military Affairs Final Legislation

The Pennsylvania Military Community Enhancement Coalition includes a military spouse representative and its statutory duties encompass military family quality-of-life, spouse employment and workforce development.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Nutrition and Food Security

Economic and Workforce Development

10/06/2014

Economic and Workforce Development Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Early Childhood Education and Childcare

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

09/30/2024

Driver's License Final Legislation

Pennsylvania allows all residents to renew their driver's license by mail.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

09/30/2024

Vehicle Registration Final Legislation

Pennsylvania allows all residents to renew their vehicle registration online, or by mail.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

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State Policy Priorities 2025

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2025

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