An Act concerning the display of veteran status on driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, supplementing chapter 3 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes and amending P.L.1980, c.47.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.39:3-10f6 Display of veteran status on driver’s licenses, identification cards.
1. a. In addition to the requirements for the form and content of a motor vehicle driver's license under R.S.39:3-10 and a probationary license issued under section 4 of P.L.1950, c.127 (C.39:3-13.4), the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall, upon submission of satisfactory proof, designate on an initial license, renewal license, or probationary license, as appropriate, that the license holder is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The designation of veteran status on an initial license, renewal license, or probationary license shall not be deemed sufficient valid proof of veteran status for official governmental purposes when any other statute, or any regulation or other directive of a governmental entity, requires documentation of veteran status.
b. For the purpose of this section:
“Veteran” means a person who has been honorably discharged from the active military service of the United States; and
“Satisfactory proof” means a copy of form DD-214 or federal activation orders showing service under Title 10, section 672 or section 12301, of the United States Code.
2. Section 2 of P.L.1980, c.47 (C.39:3-29.3) is amended to read as follows:
C.39:3-29.3 Identification cards, issuance; contents.
2. a. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall issue an identification card to any resident of the State who is 14 years of age or older and who is not the holder of a valid permit or basic driver’s license. The identification card shall attest to the true name, correct age, and veteran status, upon submission of satisfactory proof, by any veteran, and shall contain other identifying data as certified by the applicant for such identification card. Every application for an identification card shall be signed and verified by the applicant and shall be accompanied by the written consent of at least one parent or the person’s legal guardian if the person is under 17 years of age and shall be supported by such documentary evidence of the age, identity, and veteran status, or blindness, disability, or handicap, of such person as the chief administrator may require. In addition to requiring an applicant for an identification card to submit satisfactory proof of identity, age, and, if appropriate, veteran status, the chief administrator also shall require the applicant to provide, as a condition for obtaining the card, satisfactory proof that the applicant’s presence in the United States is authorized under federal law. If the chief administrator has reasonable cause to suspect that any document presented by an applicant as proof of identity, age, veteran status, or legal residency is altered, false or otherwise invalid, the chief administrator shall refuse to grant the identification card until such time as the document may be verified by the issuing agency to the chief administrator’s satisfaction.
b. The designation of veteran status on an identification card shall not be deemed sufficient valid proof of veteran status for official governmental purposes when any other statute, or any regulation or other directive of a governmental entity, requires documentation of veteran status.
c. For the purpose of this section:
“Veteran” means a person who has been honorably discharged from the active military service of the United States; and
“Satisfactory proof” means a copy of form DD-214 or federal activation orders showing service under Title 10, section 672 or section 12301, of the United States Code.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the 18th month after enactment, but the chief administrator may take such anticipatory acts in advance of that date as may be necessary for the timely implementation of this act.
Approved September 29, 2013.