The Adjutant General as head of the department is responsible to the Commonwealth and to the Governor for the organization and functioning of said department, and the performance and carrying out of all the duties, powers and responsibilities given or delegated. In addition he is hereby authorized and directed to:

(1) Maintain an office through which correspondence on military affairs between the Commonwealth and the Federal Government will be conducted, including that pertaining to funds and property issued by the Federal Government for organization and training of the Pennsylvania military forces.

(2) Maintain all military records until transferred to the Pennsylvania archives or, where so directed, to the proper Federal department.

(3) Maintain historical outlines and permanent historical records of organizations of the Pennsylvania military forces.

(4) Maintain armories, arsenals, military reservations, air bases and all property and equipment intended for the use and training of the Pennsylvania military forces.

(5) Obtain and issue medals in accordance with regulations promulgated under this title.

(6) Prepare all citations, when required, and make arrangements for the proper presentation of the decoration, medal or award.

(7) Convene boards of officers to consider and make recommendations upon such matters as may be referred to them.

(8) Maintain a list of active and retired members of the Pennsylvania National Guard with name, rank, organization, date of appointment, date of retirement and residence.

(9) Execute and enforce the policies of the Commonwealth relative to the Pennsylvania military forces.

(10) Make such bylaws, rules and regulations for the management, general direction and control of the property of the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home or homes wherever situate.

(11) Coordinate with other Commonwealth agencies and departments, and the respective agencies of the Federal Government, all matters relating to veterans' affairs within this Commonwealth.

(12) Appoint a Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, who shall serve as the Director of the Bureau for Veterans' Affairs.

(13) Approve issuance of a policy or policies of group life insurance to an association or associations to cover members of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

(14) Authorize the admittance of any member of a group which has been granted veterans status by the Secretary of Defense and any spouse of a member to State veterans' homes, using admission criteria and procedures as established by the department by regulation.

(Dec. 17, 1990, P.L.700, No.174, eff. imd.; Apr. 29, 1998, P.L.296, No.49, eff. imd.; May 15, 1998, P.L.443, No.59, eff. imd.)

1998 Amendments. Act 49 amended par. (12) and Act 59 amended the entire section. Act 59 overlooked the amendment by Act 49, but the amendments do not conflict in substance and have both been given effect in setting forth the text of section 902.