Bill HD.3313

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3313 FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No.

[Pin Slip]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to veteran license plates.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the Generals Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after line 551, the following new paragraph:-

The registrar shall furnish, upon application, to owners of private passenger motor vehicles and motorcycles who are veterans, as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4 and upon presentation of evidence deemed satisfactory by the registrar, distinctive registration plates bearing on the left side the word "VETERAN''. The registrar shall waive the initial registration fee of $60 and for each subsequent renewal.

SECTION 2. Said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the twelfth paragraph, as so appearing.

SECTION 3. Said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the fifteenth through seventeenth paragraphs, inclusive, and nineteenth through twenty-second paragraphs, inclusive.

SECTION 4. Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2I the following section:-

Section 2J. (a) The registrar shall design and maintain a series of distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who have served in the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military service.

(b) Any veteran meeting the definition of a veteran in clause forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4 or section 1 of chapter 115, or who is eligible for the annuity provided under section 6C of chapter 115, shall be eligible and entitled to a veteran plate which shall carry the denotation “VETERAN”, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of such status as determined by the registrar.

(c) The series of distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who have served in the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military service shall include the license plates described in the following paragraphs:

(1) Veterans ranked as at least 60 per cent disabled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, including those who have suffered the loss of a limb, permanent visual acuity loss of 20/200 in an eye, or are otherwise determined to be disabled or handicapped by the medical advisory board established in section 8C, shall be entitled to a distinctive disabled veteran plate.

(2) Veterans who have been captured and incarcerated by foreign forces in conflict or held as prisoners of war shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status.

(3) Veterans who are members of the Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Incorporated shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status.

(4) Veterans awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status, including, subject to availability, the use of the initials of the award recipient followed by CMH signifying their award.

(5) Veterans awarded the Order of the Purple Heart shall be entitled to a distinctive plate indicating that status which shall include the words “COMBAT WOUNDED.”

(6) Survivors of the attack upon Pearl Harbor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status and bearing the word “VETERAN” thereupon.

(7) Residents of the commonwealth serving in any branch of the national guard shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.

(8) Residents of the commonwealth awarded the Medal of Liberty under section 67A of chapter 33 shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.

(9) The next of kin of a member of the armed forces, in possession of a Gold Star Lapel Button under the regulations of the United States Secretary of Defense, shall be entitled to a Gold Star Family distinctive plate. Said button shall not be an eligibility requirement for those who have presented other satisfactory evidence of their status, as determined by the registrar.

(d) A veteran who has served in the armed forces and is entitled to a veteran license plate shall also be entitled to the issuance of a decal or emblem denoting their branch of service. Residents of the commonwealth identifying as a woman veteran who served in any branch shall be entitled to a distinctive decal which the registry of motor vehicles shall design and issue.

(e) The following individuals shall be entitled to a distinctive plate, emblem or decal denoting their award status:

(1) Owners of private vehicles awarded 1 of the following decorations for valor or gallantry: the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Distinguish Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, or any other similar award designated by the secretary of veterans’ services.

(2) A resident of the commonwealth qualifying as a Gold Star parent, child, sibling, grandchild or spouse. A distinctive plate, under this paragraph, may not be used in conjunction with a motor vehicle that has promotional or advertising material thereupon.

(f) Veterans entitled to a distinctive plate shall be entitled to have a distinctive emblem or decal reflecting service in Operation Enduring Freedom or the receipt of the Iraqi Freedom Campaign Ribbon, an Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, a Persian Gulf Campaign Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, or the Prisoner of War Medal.

(g) Under any special recognition or status recognized in this section, a widowed person shall not be compelled to surrender their distinctive plate, emblem or decal unless they remarry, cancel or fail to renew registration. If the deceased person was entitled to recognition under any portion of this section but did not apply for special status under this section, a widowed person may nonetheless apply in the stead of their deceased spouse.

(h) Any special status under this section shall entitle the bearer to only 1 special plate, emblem or decal; provided, however, that such person may, at their option, have the distinctive plate, emblem or decal issued in a form suitable for use on a motorcycle rather than a passenger car.

(i) Any plate to which an individual is entitled under this section shall be issued without fee for private passenger motor vehicles and motorcycles. The registrar may provide individuals the option of paying an additional fee. Any funds related to the additional fee generated under this section shall be distributed to the state operated veterans’ homes on an equal basis, to their special account, up to $500,000 for each home. Any excess fee over $500,000 for each state-operated veterans’ home shall be placed in the special trust fund subject to the control of the secretary of veterans’ services.

Name:	District/Address:	Date Added:
Michael S. Day	31st Middlesex	1/14/2025
Richard M. Haggerty	30th Middlesex	1/17/2025