51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 1

in effect

51 Pa.C.S. § 101 Short title of title.

This title shall be known and may be cited as the "Military and Veterans Code." (Apr. 29, 1998, P.L.296, No.49, eff. imd.)

51 Pa.C.S. § 102 Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to specific provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section: "Armory." As follows: (1) Land, buildings and fixtures under the control of the department, which are used for housing, maintaining and supporting the Pennsylvania military forces, the Pennsylvania National Guard or the Pennsylvania Guard. (2) The term includes land, buildings and fixtures at Fort Indiantown Gap, which are used for the purposes specified under paragraph (1). "Department." The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs of the Commonwealth. "National Defense Act." The act of Congress, entitled "An act for making further and more effectual provisions for the National Defense and for other purposes," approved June 3, 1916, its amendments and supplements. "National Guard of the United States." The Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States. "Officer." Commissioned or warrant officer. "Order." General or special order, oral or written, whether issued pursuant to State or Federal authority. "Pennsylvania Guard." Those organized units of the Pennsylvania military forces which are not Federally recognized or which serve under the authority of the Governor when the Pennsylvania National Guard, in whole or in part, is on extended Federal active duty. "Pennsylvania military forces." The land, air and sea military units organized for the internal security of this Commonwealth. "Pennsylvania National Guard." The Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. (Dec. 21, 1995, P.L.737, No.80, eff. imd.; July 7, 2022, P.L.494, No.48, eff. 60 days) 2022 Amendment. Act 48 amended the def. of "armory." 1995 Amendment. Act 80 amended the def. of "department."

51 Pa.C.S. § 103 Conformity with Federal legislation.

It is the intent of this title that it shall be in conformity with all acts and regulations of the United States affecting the same subjects, and all provisions of this title shall be construed to effectuate this purpose.

51 Pa.C.S. § 104 Character of discharge.

(a) General rule.--Whenever a particular character of discharge is a prerequisite to eligibility for receiving a benefit provided for in this title, an individual must have received a discharge from service under conditions other than dishonorable. Recipients of a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable include the following: (1) A recipient of an honorable discharge. (2) A recipient of a general, under honorable conditions, discharge. (3) A recipient of a discharge under other than honorable conditions for which the recipient has been determined to be eligible for benefits afforded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (4) A recipient of a discharge for which benefits are payable under 38 CFR 3.12 (relating to character of discharge). (b) Exclusions.--A discharge under conditions other than dishonorable does not include: (1) A dishonorable, bad conduct or undesirable discharge. (2) A discharge or release because of one of the offenses specified in 38 CFR 3.12(d). (c) Uncharacterized separations.--A recipient of an uncharacterized discharge or separation shall be evaluated based upon 38 CFR 3.12(k). (Dec. 17, 2015, P.L.458, No.82, eff. 60 days) 2015 Amendment. Act 82 added section 104. Cross References. Section 104 is referred to in section 1301 of Title 16 (Counties).

51 Pa.C.S. § 105 Veteran of Korean Armed Forces.

(a) Eligibility.--Any resident of this Commonwealth who is an eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces, a duly naturalized citizen of the United States and has been recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C. § 109 (relating to benefits for discharged members of allied forces) shall be afforded the same rights, benefits, recognition and privileges as afforded to veterans of the United States military forces. (b) Proof of service.--Any appropriate Commonwealth agency or department may request supporting documentation to determine that an individual applying for benefits or recognition is an eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces. A request may include discharge or separation papers or other documents of proof to establish military service and documents from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "eligible veteran of the Korean Armed Forces" shall mean any member of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces who served on active duty in the Vietnam War between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and has been recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 U.S.C. § 109. (June 30, 2025, P.L.17, No.10, eff. 60 days) 2025 Amendment. Act 10 added section 105.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=51Fetched: 10/16/2026