The bill H.917 seeks to amend various sections of Vermont law related to military affairs, with significant changes including the removal of the title "Inspector" from the Adjutant General, simplifying the title to just "Adjutant General." This adjustment is reflected in multiple sections concerning the election process, duties, and responsibilities of the Adjutant General. Additionally, the bill introduces a definition for "Gold Star family member," which recognizes the families of service members who have died in the line of duty, and establishes special gold star license plates for these families.

Moreover, H.917 enhances support for military spouses by establishing hiring preferences for state government employment and expands the definition of eligible applicants to include spouses of currently serving military personnel. The bill also includes provisions for free parking at meters for vehicles displaying disabled veteran plates, thereby improving accessibility for veterans. The changes are designed to modernize and strengthen the legal framework supporting service members, veterans, and their families in Vermont, with the bill set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2-10, 16-2539, 16-2857, 20-361, 20-363, 20-365, 20-369, 20-23, 20-421, 20-422, 20-423, 20-424, 20-425, 20-426, 20-427, 20-428, 20-481, 20-483, 20-486, 20-541, 20-601, 20-703, 20-704, 20-822, 20-823, 20-942a, 20-942b, 20-945, 20-961, 20-963, 20-964, 20-1483, 20-1484, 20-1485, 20-1486, 20-1548, 20-1581, 20-1601, 20-1605, 23-304, 3-310, 24-2291