SB 914 Summary

• Expands eligibility for Connecticut's veterans honor ribbon and medal to include former members of reserve components who were honorably discharged, in addition to active duty veterans who served in wartime.

• Broadens the definition of "veteran" for motor vehicle operator's licenses and identity cards to include persons honorably discharged from armed forces and former members entitled to retirement pay under 10 USC Chapter 1223 or who would be entitled but for age.

• Modifies the definition of "veteran" for veterans' cemetery burial eligibility to include members of the Connecticut National Guard with at least 20 years of qualifying service and clarifies eligibility for reserve component members entitled to military retirement pay.

• Allows spouses and next of kin to apply for burial of eligible veterans and former service members in state veterans' cemeteries, with spouses of veterans permitted to be buried in the same cemetery upon request.

• Effective dates: October 1, 2017 for honors and motor vehicle provisions; January 1, 2018 for veterans' cemetery provisions.