Pennsylvania § 1731 - Accreditation.

§ 1731. Accreditation.

(a) Eligibility.--In order to be eligible for appointment as a director of veterans affairs in a county of this Commonwealth, a person must maintain a United States Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation in accordance with the provisions of 38 CFR § 14.629 (relating to requirements for accreditation of service organization representatives; agents; and attorneys) with one of the following:

(1) The department.

(2) A veterans' organization listed under section 1702(b) (relating to State Veterans' Commission).

(b) Time.--

(1) A person who is appointed as a director of veterans affairs in a county of this Commonwealth shall have up to one year from the date of appointment to attain the training and certification required under this title.

(2) A person who has been appointed as a director of veterans affairs in a county of this Commonwealth prior to the effective date of this section shall have one year from the effective date of this section to attain the training and certification required under this title.

(c) Additional duties.--In addition to the duties provided for under a statute other than this title, a director of veterans affairs shall do all of the following:

(1) Serve as a local contact between the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the department and an individual in the armed forces of the United States, an individual who was discharged from the service and a dependent of the individual.

(2) Advise an individual in the armed forces, a veteran or a dependent of the individual or veteran of available Federal, State and county veterans' benefits.

(3) Aid an individual in the armed forces, a veteran or a dependent of the individual or veteran in completing required Federal, State and local veterans' affairs forms in compliance with current regulations and policies.

(4) Work under the direct supervision of the county commissioners and within the guidelines provided by the department and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

(5) Participate in programs provided by the department, including:

(i) Annual training and refresher courses provided by the Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs.

(ii) Five-year recertification as required by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans' service officer accreditation.

(d) Office duties.--The Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs shall establish a county director of veterans affairs training program, agreed upon with the State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs, which shall include the following:

(1) Development of program guidelines and procedures as required under this subchapter.

(2) Maintenance of training records.

(3) Maintenance of competency scores for purposes of documenting and monitoring accreditation status.

(4) Annual recertification and qualification.

(5) Training on a wide range of veteran-related topics, including trauma-informed care, military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and other forms of trauma-informed care.

(July 20, 2026, P.L. , No.38, eff. 180 days)

2026 Amendment. Act 38 added subsec. (d)(5).

Cross References. Section 1731 is referred to in section 15524 of Title 16 (Counties).