Enables veterans to receive benefit information upon applying for or renewing a driver's license

Section 502 of the VTL is amended to ensure the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of NYS provides a space on the application for the renewal of a driver's license to enable any applicant who is a veteran of the military or naval service of the United States to register to receive information from the division of veterans' affairs by email or telephone regarding benefits to which such applicant may be entitled.

Section 508 of the VTL is amended ensure the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles appoints agents to collect, store and make available to the division of veterans' affairs the name and contact information of a veteran applicant who requests to receive benefit information from the division of veteran affairs.

Section 353 of the executive law referencing the general functions, powers and duties of the division of veteran affairs is amended to include coordinating with the department of motor vehicles to retrieve the name and veterans who are applying for or renewing their driver's licenses and who request to be contacted by the division via email, telephone, or mail.

Section 490 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended to ensure the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of NYS provides a space on the application for a non-driver identification card to enable any applicant who is a veteran of the military or naval service of the United States to register to receive information from the division of veterans' affairs by email or telephone regarding benefits to which such applicant may be entitled.

Justification

This legislation would allow veterans to voluntarily identify their veteran status when applying for or renewing their driver's license. At no cost to taxpayers, Vets Connect utilizes the DMV as an intake point to gather information on veterans not currently in the state system. The department of motor vehicles collects, stores, and makes this information available to the division of veteran affairs which would provide information about the benefits to which they may be entitled.

NYS Department of Motor Vehicles would work with the Division of Veteran Affairs to share information to relay benefit updates for the veterans. The information gathering would happen when veterans go to apply for or renew their drivers license. By checking a box on the application indicating they are a veteran of naval forces or military they are also giving the department of motor vehicles permission to share information with the division of veteran affairs and have information distributed to him or her via email, telephone, and mail.

Fiscal implications

Negligible.

Effective date

This act shall take effect 120 days after it shall have become a law. Provided, however, that effective immediately any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.