Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced a bill he co-sponsored that would enable veterans and reservists to receive critical benefit information when applying for or renewing a driver’s license has passed the Assembly (A.3920).

“The service-members who have bravely served our country deserve all the support they need when they return home,” said Santabarbara. “Unfortunately, many military members are unaware or unsure of the many benefits that are available to them. This bill will help ensure that the Division of Veterans’ Affairs receives veterans’ information from the DMV, ultimately helping more former service-members receive their much-deserved benefits.”

The new legislation would help service members who seek a free veteran designation on a driver’s license or non-driver identification card to receive information about benefits that they may be entitled to under federal and state law. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be utilized to help gather this information.

Santabarbara also fought to secure a total of $5 million in funding for the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project in the recently passed 2021-2022 state budget. The project is a peer-to-peer program for veterans who have returned home and are facing the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other mental and behavioral health issues. He also recently helped pass a bill to support the unique needs of veterans by access to veterans’ treatment courts across the state (A.5719).

For more information on veteran programs and resources, download the NYS Veterans App or visit the Assemblyman Santabarbara’s website at nyassembly.gov/mem/Angelo-Santabarbara.