The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today approved legislation introduced by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) intended to alleviate the nursing shortage in Pennsylvania’s six veterans’ homes.

Senate Bill 1076 would exempt direct care positions in veterans’ homes operated by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) from the Civil Service Act. 

"This change in Civil Service status of veterans’ home nurses would enable the facilities to make faster selections of personnel, place them in positions of service to our veterans more quickly, and hire individuals with the most current training and enthusiasm for new careers," Senator Robbins said.

The DMVA supports Senator Robbins’ bill.  The facilities operated by DMVA include: the Delaware Valley Veterans Home in Philadelphia, the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home in Hollidaysburg, the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton, the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie, the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City, and the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh.