Substitute House Bill No. 5787 aims to provide reimbursement for veterans and members of the armed forces who join a chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and receive a corresponding number plate. The bill allows these individuals to apply for reimbursement of their membership fee, which is currently set at $200 for a lifetime membership, from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The application process for reimbursement will be determined by the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, who is required to notify applicants of the decision within 60 days and provide reimbursement if approved.

The bill also includes several amendments to existing law. It repeals Section 14-19a and substitutes it with new provisions that establish standards for the issuance of special number plates, including the recognition of labor unions as qualifying organizations. Additionally, it specifies that veterans and members of the armed forces who receive the Military Order of the Purple Heart number plate on or after July 1, 2025, are eligible for reimbursement, thereby expanding the benefits available to these individuals. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 14-19a
VA Joint Favorable: 14-19a
File No. 40: 14-19a