Bill > HB494

This bill makes several important changes to Maryland's laws regarding service members, veterans, and uniformed services, with a focus on expanding and clarifying definitions and benefits. The bill broadens the definition of "veteran" to include more categories of service members, updates provisions related to fishing and hunting licenses to apply more inclusively to all uniformed services members (not just those in the armed forces), and ensures that active service members and veterans receive certain recreational and licensing benefits. Specifically, the bill modifies existing statutes to allow active service members and veterans from all uniformed services (not just the armed forces) to receive complimentary fishing and hunting licenses, enter state parks without fees, and maintain their professional licenses during deployment. The bill also standardizes definitions across different state articles, referencing federal definitions for terms like "active duty," "service member," and "uniformed services." Key changes include making lifetime complimentary fishing and hunting licenses available to former prisoners of war, veterans determined to be unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and 100% service-connected disabled veterans, regardless of their specific service branch. The bill aims to provide more equitable treatment and recognition for individuals who have served in various capacities across different uniformed services.

Education, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0494?ys=2025RS