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Multi‑bill effort to modernize 'veteran' definition in state code includes transportation article changes
Summary
Delegate Nick Allen told the committee House Bill 475 is part of a package to modernize and standardize the definition of 'veteran' across Maryland code to match federal usage of 'uniformed services,' ensuring members of the Public Health Service and NOAA Commissioned Corps receive consistent access to benefits such as veteran license plates and
Delegate Nick Allen presented House Bill 4 75 to standardize and modernize usage of the term "veteran" across Maryland law, including the Transportation Article. The proposal aligns Maryland statutory language with federal usage by adopting terms tied to the uniformed services so that the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are explicitly included where appropriate.
"The overarching goal here... is to standardize, centralize, and modernize the definition of veteran as it exists in the code of Maryland," Delegate Allen said, explaining the change is intended to reduce confusion and ensure uniform access to benefits. The bill is part of a broader package introduced across both chambers to harmonize statutory definitions.
David Dragic, a retired Army colonel and legislative director for the Maryland Military Coalition, said the coalition supports the bill with amendments to ensure PHS and NOAA personnel are clearly included in state references to veterans and to avoid future misinterpretation. The coalition asked the committee to adopt clarifying language so references to 38 U.S.C. §101 and related federal definitions do not inadvertently omit these commissioned services.
Ending: The Maryland Military Coalition and sponsor asked the committee for a favorable report with clarifying amendments to ensure consistent veteran benefit eligibility across the Transportation Article and other code sections.
