March 28 e-mail: My PA Korean VALOR Act bill advances to the Senate

Rep. Melissa Cerrato March 28, 2025 | 1:38 PM

Dear Friends,

I am excited to share an update that my bill, H.B. 304, passed the House last week with a tremendous bipartisan vote of 201 to 1.

House Bill 304 would correct an inequity far too long overlooked. It is estimated that approximately 3,000 Korean American veterans of the Vietnam War -- many of whom later became naturalized U.S. citizens -- served alongside American forces with extraordinary courage and dedication. Hundreds of these brave individuals now call Pennsylvania home, yet they have not received the same rights, recognition, or benefits as their U.S. counterparts.

This injustice is not just a matter of oversight; it is a matter of fairness and honor. These veterans answered the call to serve during one of the most challenging conflicts of our history. My legislation would ensure that these individuals are granted the same benefits, recognition, and privileges under Pennsylvania law as other veterans.

Under this bill, any Korean American veteran who served in the Vietnam War between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and who is eligible for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will finally be entitled to the same state benefits as their fellow Pennsylvania veterans.

State agencies could also verify eligibility to maintain the integrity of this program.

By moving this legislation through the House, my colleagues and I not only advocated for fairness -- but chose to stand with those who stood for us, often in the face of unimaginable challenges. We want to honor their service with the recognition they so rightly deserve. Now H.B. 304 moves to the state Senate. I will keep you updated through its progression in that chamber.

You can view my floor remarks on H.B. 304 by clicking below.

The other pieces of legislation that advanced through the House last week are:

H.B. 33 - (Frankel, Dan) 194-8

House Bill 33 would modify the Medical Marijuana Act to improve oversight of testing labs and certifying physicians. Key changes include:

Laboratory Oversight: Labs testing medical marijuana must meet strict approval and operational standards set by the Department of Health (DOH). This includes mandatory inspections, trend analyses, and annual quality assurance testing.
Physician Certification: Adds conditions for physician registration, like probation or supervision, to ensure patient safety.
Testing Rules Simplified: Eases lab requirements, allowing one lab to perform both harvest and product testing, instead of two.

It also would add a lab expert to the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board and strengthens DOH's regulatory capabilities.

H.B. 111 - (Curry, Gina) 153-49

"Lloyd's Law" would prohibit life insurance companies from discriminating against individuals who have obtained or been prescribed an opioid overdose reversal agent. Insurers cannot deny, cancel, refuse to renew, limit coverage, or charge higher rates for these individuals. Violations of this law would constitute unfair insurance practices and discrimination under existing insurance regulations.

H.B. 240 - (Benninghoff, Kerry) 202-0

This bill updates Section 1509 of Title 75 to address hearing requirements for school bus drivers. It would require hearing tests for drivers using hearing aids to ensure they meet PennDOT's minimum standards. However, PennDOT could not require a technical analysis of the hearing aid if it functions properly and allows the driver to meet these standards.

H.B. 439 - (Mayes, Latasha) 194-8

This legislation would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on hair type, texture, hairstyle, or head coverings. Key points include:

Defining "race" to include traits like hair texture and protective hairstyles (e.g., locs, braids, afros).
Expanding "religious creed" to cover head coverings and hairstyles tied to religious practices.
Allowing workplace health and safety policies that impact these traits if they meet specific, nondiscriminatory criteria.
Permitting policies against hostile work environments, provided they are nondiscriminatory and applied equally.

The overall goal is to protect individuals' cultural and religious expression while ensuring fair workplace policies.

H.B. 36 - (Conklin, Scott) 173-29

This bill would define "enforcement officer" and authorizes those employed by the State Inspector General to carry firearms during official duties. However, officers must complete both initial and annual firearms training approved by the State Inspector General to carry or use firearms in their roles.

H.B. 333 - PN0432 (Mehaffie, Thomas) 202-0

This bill would transfer ownership of certain locally owned roads to PennDOT in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County, and Conewago Township, York County, contingent on specific conditions being met. These include local townships accepting ownership of other road portions and completing proposed improvements. Additionally, PennDOT would maintain ownership of a key bridge on Canal Road in East Hanover Township. The transfers would be formalized upon fulfillment of the criteria and publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

H.B. 60 - (Borowski, Lisa) 202-0

House Bill 60 would update Pennsylvania's Pharmacy Act to align with federal regulations, allowing pharmacies to perform one-time transfers of prescriptions for Schedule II-IV controlled substances. This change eliminates restrictions on transferring non-refillable Schedule II prescriptions, aiming to enhance convenience for both patients and pharmacies.

H.B. 157 - (Rapp, Kathy) 194-8

House Bill 157 would establish the Rural Health Care Grant Program to assist health care workers like physicians, nurses, and dentists in repaying education debt if they work in rural or underserved areas in Pennsylvania. The bill prioritizes independent health care entities for grants, which could reach up to $250,000 annually, and requires practitioners to commit to at least three years of full-time work. Non-compliance would result in grant repayment with interest.

H.B. 274 - (Dawkins, Jason) 198-4

A new section in the Unemployment Compensation Law allows claimants to receive benefits if they voluntarily leave a job due to safety concerns related to domestic violence. Claimants must provide evidence, such as court records or professional statements, and self-affirmations are accepted temporarily, with further verification required within 150 days. The Department of Labor and Industry ensures confidentiality, expedites claims, and collaborates with the Office of Victim Advocate to implement the law. Employers are relieved from charges for these claims, and non-compliance with verification rules may lead to redetermination.

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