NEW JERSEY – Veterans who are 100% disabled would have less paper to submit when renewing parking privileges under a bill sponsored by Assemblymen Hal Wirths and Parker Space.
That bill (A2438) was released from the Military and Veterans Affairs committee Thursday.
“I am happy we can provide a little helping hand to veterans who are 100% disabled due to a service-related condition,” Wirths (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) said. “Any little bit the state can do to make life easier for these men and women who served their country, I am behind 100%.”
The bill requires that veterans who are 100% disabled submit their Department of Veterans Affairs statement confirming that disability to the N.J. Motor Vehicle Commission only with their initial application for parking privileges. Under current law, they must submit that statement with each renewal request.
Honorably discharged veterans who are 100% disabled due to a service-related condition are eligible for certain unemployment, health care and educational benefits. In New Jersey, such veterans are eligible to receive disability identification cards, placards and license plates.
“Any bill that peels away at the layers of bureaucracy to help our veterans is something I support,” Space (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) said.
The latest VA data from 2019 shows 350,538 veterans live in New Jersey. Of those, 60,027 receive disability compensation, although its unreported how many of those are 100% disabled.
The committee also released the identical Senate bill, S660, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris).
The legislation now goes to the speaker for consideration.
