HARRISBURG PA – Pennsylvania’s armed services veterans who attend or participate in therapeutic programs operated by more than 60 different service organizations can now fish in state waters without buying a license.
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed legislation March 20 (2024; Wednesday) that granted the fee-exempt licenses, following its passage by the Legislature. The exemption applies to those in programs provided by the Wounded Warrior Project, Project Healing Waters, and many others, the Fish and Boat Commission said. Their therapies are considered helpful in dealing with various physical and mental health issues.
Fee-free licenses for these veterans are being made available as the commission continues to stock waterways with trout in Chester County through early May. Waters in Montgomery and Berks counties were stocked earlier, during late February, the commission reported.
One of the law’s authors, 174th House District state Rep. Ed Neilson of Philadelphia, said fishing and outdoors activities are both “an important part of Pennsylvania’s economy, … (and) can be used as a valuable tool to help Pennsylvanians with health issues find a therapeutic way to heal.”
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