What's happening
This bill allows Gold Star mothers in New York to receive a free keepsake license plate for commemorative purposes after surrendering their distinctive plates.
Why it matters
Honors the sacrifice of Gold Star mothers. by allowing them to keep a commemorative plate as a personal memento after returning their official license plates, recognizing their loss in a tangible way.
Provides a no-cost benefit. to Gold Star mothers, ensuring that the keepsake plate is free, which removes any financial barrier to receiving this gesture of remembrance.
Ensures clear distinction from official plates. by mandating that keepsake plates are different in size and not legal for vehicle display, maintaining the integrity of official vehicle identification while still offering a meaningful keepsake.
Strengthens state recognition of military families. by embedding this practice into law, reinforcing New York’s ongoing commitment to honoring families of fallen service members.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Keepsake Plates for Gold Star Mothers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2972
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2019
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, HELMING, RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to keepsake plates for gold star mothers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 404-i of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
4. Upon the surrender of a set of distinctive plates issued pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the gold star mother to whom such plates were issued shall be entitled to be issued a keepsake plate for commemorative purposes only and not for display on any motor vehicle. In the event that a gold star mother to whom distinctive plates were issued pursuant to subdivision one of this section has surrendered both plates of the set of such distinctive plates, then the commissioner shall, upon request of, and at no cost to such gold star mother, issue and provide to such gold star mother one keepsake plate. Keepsake plates are for commemorative purposes only and not for display on any motor vehicle and as such shall differ in size from and cannot be mistaken for the distinctive plates issued pursuant to this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08542-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to keepsake plates for gold star mothers
Purpose
To issue a license plate to gold star mothers who surrender their set of distinctive plates for commemorative and display purposes only.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends section 404-I of the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new subdivision 4.
Section 2. Provides an immediate effective date.
Justification
Gold Star Mothers are mothers of U.S. Armed Forces whose sons or daugh- ters died in the line of duty. Many Gold Star Mothers apply for distinc- tive license plates from the Department of Motor Vehicles that desig- nates that they are a gold Star Mother. Unfortunately, when one of these individuals surrenders her plates, they do not have the option to keep one for sentimental reasons. This legislation would address the inequity by amending the vehicle and traffic law to direct the Commissioner of the DMV, upon request, and at no cost, to issue and provide the Gold Star Mother one keepsake plate. These keepsake plates are for commemora- tive purposes only and not for display on any motor vehicle. To ensure this, the plates will be a different size than plates currently used for motor vehicles.
Gold Star Mothers endure heartache and sadness with the loss of their son or daughter throughout their entire lives. It is only fitting and appropriate to give a Gold Star Mother a commemorative plate, which she can keep in honor of her son or daughter who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Legislative history
2017-18 - S. 2538a - Passed Senate/A. 5573a - Transportation Committee. 2015-16 - S. 4958 - Passed Senate/A. 7123 - Transportation Committee. 2013-14 - S. 3554 - Passed Senate/A. 4459 - Transportation Committee.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.