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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3313 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3648
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael S. Day and Richard M. Haggerty
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to veteran license plates.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Michael S. Day31st Middlesex1/17/2025Richard M. Haggerty30th Middlesex1/17/2025 1 of 5
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3313 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3648
By Representatives Day of Stoneham and Haggerty of Woburn, a petition (accompanied by bill,
House, No. 3648) of Michael S. Day and Richard M. Haggerty relative to veteran license plates.
Transportation.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to veteran license plates.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the Generals Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after line 551, the following new paragraph:-
3 The registrar shall furnish, upon application, to owners of private passenger motor
4vehicles and motorcycles who are veterans, as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of
5chapter 4 and upon presentation of evidence deemed satisfactory by the registrar, distinctive
6registration plates bearing on the left side the word "VETERAN''. The registrar shall waive the
7initial registration fee of $60 and for each subsequent renewal.
8 SECTION 2. Said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further
9amended by striking out the twelfth paragraph, as so appearing.
10 SECTION 3. Said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further
11amended by striking out the fifteenth through seventeenth paragraphs, inclusive, and nineteenth
12through twenty-second paragraphs, inclusive. 2 of 5
13 SECTION 4. Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further
14amended by inserting after section 2I the following section:-
15 Section 2J. (a) The registrar shall design and maintain a series of distinct and
16individual license plates recognizing those who have served in the military and for those who
17deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military service.
18 (b) Any veteran meeting the definition of a veteran in clause forty-third of section
197 of chapter 4 or section 1 of chapter 115, or who is eligible for the annuity provided under
20section 6C of chapter 115, shall be eligible and entitled to a veteran plate which shall carry the
21denotation “VETERAN”, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of such status as determined
22by the registrar.
23 (c) The series of distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who
24have served in the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving
25from military service shall include the license plates described in the following paragraphs:
26 (1) Veterans ranked as at least 60 per cent disabled by the United States
27Department of Veterans Affairs, including those who have suffered the loss of a limb, permanent
28visual acuity loss of 20/200 in an eye, or are otherwise determined to be disabled or handicapped
29by the medical advisory board established in section 8C, shall be entitled to a distinctive disabled
30veteran plate.
31 (2) Veterans who have been captured and incarcerated by foreign forces in
32conflict or held as prisoners of war shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status. 3 of 5
33 (3) Veterans who are members of the Legion of Valor of the United States of
34America, Incorporated shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status.
35 (4) Veterans awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor shall be entitled to a
36distinctive plate recognizing that status, including, subject to availability, the use of the initials of
37the award recipient followed by CMH signifying their award.
38 (5) Veterans awarded the Order of the Purple Heart shall be entitled to a
39distinctive plate indicating that status which shall include the words “COMBAT WOUNDED.”
40 (6) Survivors of the attack upon Pearl Harbor shall be entitled to a distinctive
41plate reflecting that status and bearing the word “VETERAN” thereupon.
42 (7) Residents of the commonwealth serving in any branch of the national guard
43shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.
44 (8) Residents of the commonwealth awarded the Medal of Liberty under section
4567A of chapter 33 shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.
46 (9) The next of kin of a member of the armed forces, in possession of a Gold Star
47Lapel Button under the regulations of the United States Secretary of Defense, shall be entitled to
48a Gold Star Family distinctive plate. Said button shall not be an eligibility requirement for those
49who have presented other satisfactory evidence of their status, as determined by the registrar.
50 (d) A veteran who has served in the armed forces and is entitled to a veteran
51license plate shall also be entitled to the issuance of a decal or emblem denoting their branch of
52service. Residents of the commonwealth identifying as a woman veteran who served in any 4 of 5
53branch shall be entitled to a distinctive decal which the registry of motor vehicles shall design
54and issue.
55 (e) The following individuals shall be entitled to a distinctive plate, emblem or
56decal denoting their award status:
57 (1) Owners of private vehicles awarded 1 of the following decorations for valor or
58gallantry: the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Distinguish
59Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, or any other similar award designated by the
60secretary of veterans’ services.
61 (2) A resident of the commonwealth qualifying as a Gold Star parent, child,
62sibling, grandchild or spouse. A distinctive plate, under this paragraph, may not be used in
63conjunction with a motor vehicle that has promotional or advertising material thereupon.
64 (f) Veterans entitled to a distinctive plate shall be entitled to have a distinctive
65emblem or decal reflecting service in Operation Enduring Freedom or the receipt of the Iraqi
66Freedom Campaign Ribbon, an Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, a Persian Gulf Campaign
67Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Inherent
68Resolve Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam
69Service Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, or the Prisoner of War Medal.
70 (g) Under any special recognition or status recognized in this section, a widowed
71person shall not be compelled to surrender their distinctive plate, emblem or decal unless they
72remarry, cancel or fail to renew registration. If the deceased person was entitled to recognition
73under any portion of this section but did not apply for special status under this section, a
74widowed person may nonetheless apply in the stead of their deceased spouse. 5 of 5
75 (h) Any special status under this section shall entitle the bearer to only 1 special
76plate, emblem or decal; provided, however, that such person may, at their option, have the
77distinctive plate, emblem or decal issued in a form suitable for use on a motorcycle rather than a
78passenger car.
79 (i) Any plate to which an individual is entitled under this section shall be issued
80without fee for private passenger motor vehicles and motorcycles. The registrar may provide
81individuals the option of paying an additional fee. Any funds related to the additional fee
82generated under this section shall be distributed to the state operated veterans’ homes on an equal
83basis, to their special account, up to $500,000 for each home. Any excess fee over $500,000 for
84each state-operated veterans’ home shall be placed in the special trust fund subject to the control
85of the secretary of veterans’ services.