Veterans and current members of the military are expected to reap a lot of new benefits starting Oct. 1, the day that over 400 bills will become law in Maryland.
Here is a peek at what Maryland current and former service members can expect in October.
Feeling patriotic
Starting Oct. 1, under the Braille Flag Memorial Act, the Department of Veterans and Military Families will be required to delegate a place to house the “American braille tactile flag” on one or more of Maryland’s state veterans’ cemeteries to honor veterans who are visually impaired or blind.
The flag must be tactile, so that veterans can read it as under the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute.
Family benefits
Senate Bill 275 requires the State Government Article regarding military positions to be updated to include military families, including spouses and dependent children of a service member or veteran related by blood, marriage, or adoption to match U.S. Department of Defense standards at the state level. This will help military family members with things like hiring preferences for employment.
Equitable health
The Health Equality for Service Members Act will go into effect Oct. 1. This law will alter provisions of Maryland Code to provide certain benefits or privileges to members of the armed forces or the military. For example, copies of medical records, like birth and death certificates, will be free to veterans or members of the armed forces, and would allow dependents of military members to remain on waitlists for services through the Developmental Disabilities Administration even if their guardian deployed outside of the state.
State employment and the courts
Under the Judicial and Public Safety for Service Members Act, the state will waive the age requirement to be a Maryland correctional officer for veterans who have been honorably discharged or are a reserve member of the United States armed forces. Currently, the minimum age requirement for civilians to become correctional officers is 21.
Additionally, court fees for documents typically issued by a clerk of court will be waived for former or active members of the armed forces, including marriage records.
Free recreation
The Recreational Equality for Service Members Act will allow organizations that provide hunting, fishing and other outdoor opportunities for veterans to apply for grants to offset the cost of those activities.
Additionally, the law will waive the necessity for veterans to have fishing licenses if they go fishing through governmental or nonprofit entities. Maryland fishing licenses would not lapse if a service member is deployed.
Service members and veterans would also have free admission to state parks.
Have a news tip? Contact Hannah Gaskill at hgaskill@baltsun.com.