Branford Lawmaker Introduces Legislation to Waive Fee for Purple Heart License Plate

Representative Sean Scanlon has introduced legislation to waive the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles fee required for any veteran awarded the Purple Heart to receive a Military Order of the Purple Heart license plate, according to a news release from his office.

"Anyone awarded the Purple Heart has literally shed blood in service to our country and even if it's a nominal fee, it doesn't seem right to charge someone who has already given so much to our nation" said Scanlon who introduced the bill after learning of the fee from a Guilford Vietnam veteran who had trouble renewing his license plate.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, there are roughly 750 Purple Heart recipients statewide with a registered Military Order of the Purple Heart license plate. The fee for most specialty license plates including the Military Order of the Purple Heart plate is $10 though Scanlon notes that two with similarities to the Purple Heart are currently exempt: Disabled Veterans and Gold Star Families.

"The two plate fees that are currently exempt from the fee are available to individuals and families who have sacrificed a great deal for the United States but, as far as I'm concerned, a veteran awarded a Purple Heart should receive the same courtesy from the state for their sacrifice," said Scanlon.

Scanlon, the son of a United States Marine, is co-sponsoring the bill with State Senator Mae Flexer (D-Killingly), co-chair of the legislature's Veterans Committee.