HARRISBURG — The Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) that would close an unintended gap in Pennsylvania’s existing free hunting license program for disabled veterans.
Under current law, only veterans who suffered injuries during combat and were deemed 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for free hunting licenses. Partially disabled veterans may purchase discounted licenses. Those who suffered service-connected injuries outside of combat — in training, non-combat operations, peacetime duties or other hazardous activities — are not currently eligible for a discount.
“This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent who served our nation honorably from 1979-88 and was denied eligibility based on this technicality,” Gebhard said. “After reviewing the law, we discovered the gap and drafted legislation to correct it.”
Senate Bill 1020 would expand eligibility so that all 100% disabled veterans qualify for a free hunting license, regardless of how or where their service-connected injuries occurred. It would also maintain discounted licenses for partially disabled veterans.
The bill is strongly supported by Disabled American Veterans — Department of Pennsylvania, an organization that empowers veterans and their families by ensuring timely access to the benefits they earned through service and sacrifice. They praised the bill for “strengthening Pennsylvania’s framework for serving veterans and improving coordination and accountability across programs that directly affect their well-being.”
“This legislation ensures that all disabled veterans receive the same recognition regardless of when or how they were injured while serving our country,” Gebhard said. “If you sacrificed your health in uniform, you’ve earned these benefits. It’s a simple matter of fairness, and it’s the right thing to do for those who’ve given so much for Pennsylvania and our nation.”
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Alex Gamble