Martha Marx

SEN. MARX LEADS PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR VETERANS’ SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES AND DRIVER’S LICENSES

HARTFORD, CT – Today, Senate Chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), led passage of a bill which would expand the eligibility for veterans’ specialty license plates and driver’s licenses to include former members of the National Guard and former Reservists who do not qualify for federal veterans’ benefits.

“There are many veterans in our state who have served our country but cannot access veterans’ designations in their official documents,” said Sen. Marx. “I’m glad we’re fixing that. No matter how a veteran serves the United States, they’ve earned the title of veteran.”

This bill authorizes an eligible former Reservist, former member of the National Guard or a surviving spouse to get a veteran license plate and registration certificate. The bill also authorizes an eligible former Reservist or former member of the National Guard to receive a veteran designation on their driver’s license or identification card.

Under the bill, these benefits are available to any person who was part of the United States Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Air National Guard that was discharged honorably, under honorable conditions, or with an “other than honorable” discharge based on a qualifying condition.

The bill also establishes that receiving these benefits does not establish proof of eligibility for any other veterans’ benefit.