Bill Summary: HB 5510 / Public Act No. 23-71

• Adds the United States Space Force to all statutory references to the "armed forces" throughout Connecticut General Statutes, making Space Force members eligible for the same benefits and protections as other service members

• Effective October 1, 2023, the definition of "armed forces" now includes the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force, plus all reserve components and the Connecticut National Guard

• Space Force members become eligible for veteran benefits including property tax exemptions, professional licensure credits, military discharge document protections, and other veteran-specific programs previously available only to other armed forces branches

• Applies uniformly across multiple statutes governing taxes, licensing, oaths of office, education credits, and other veteran services