Sen. Brian Simonaire presents bill to allow veteran notation on education licenses and profiles

Chair Janelle Wilkins invited Sen. Brian Simon Ayre to present Senate Bill 57. Sen. Simonaire said the bill would authorize a veteran notation to be placed on educational licenses or public profiles, and that the notation would be issued only with the veteran's consent.

Sen. Simonaire framed the bill as enabling legislation that sets a framework for departments to add a veteran designation at their discretion and timing. He said the program is modeled on the Motor Vehicle Administration's veteran notation and noted previous similar legislation for other departments. "If the veteran consents, then the Department of Veterans and Military Families can send them information about benefits and services," he said, adding that the approach aims both to recognize service and to connect veterans with supports.

Dave Dragic, retired Army colonel and legislative director for the Maryland Military Coalition, testified in support, saying the measure protects privacy and reduces administrative burdens while improving how the department serves veterans. Sen. Simonaire said there was no opposition and no fiscal note and asked the committee for a favorable report.