SB 1131 Summary

• Expands veterans' specialty license plate eligibility to include Hmong Laotian special guerilla units members who served in Laos during the Vietnam War and eligible former reservists from U.S. military reserve components, effective October 1, 2023.

• Requires Department of Veterans Affairs to verify eligibility within 30 days and notify Commissioner of Motor Vehicles; eligible former reservists must provide official documentation of service in reserve components.

• Members of armed forces who are dishonorably discharged must return specialty license plates within 30 days and plates cannot be renewed.

• Allows veterans, Hmong Laotian service members, and eligible former reservists to request veteran status designation on Connecticut motor vehicle operator's licenses and identity cards.

• Defines "eligible former reservist" as any person honorably discharged from or released under honorable conditions from U.S. Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Air National Guard.