ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1024

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 8, 2021

      The Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1024.

      As amended, this bill requires the issuance of one free copy of a birth certificate to a military veteran.  Under the bill, a current or former member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard is to be eligible to receive one certified copy of his or her birth certificate upon request.  Additional copies of the birth certificate are to be subject to the regular statutory fee.

      As used in the bill, “veteran” means any individual who has been discharged or released from service in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, or any discharged member of the American Merchant Marine who served during World War II and is declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans’ benefits.  “Veteran” is not to include an individual discharged or released under dishonorable circumstances.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to clarify that the bill only applies to requests for copies of a birth certificate that are made to the State registrar, as opposed to requests made to a municipality.