Relates to the issuance of license plates for disabled veterans

Summary

Relates to the issuance of license plates for persons rated one hundred percent disabled by the United States department of veterans affairs.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section 1 adds an additional eligibility clause for a Universal Symbol of Access license plate to veterans who are 100% disabled by the VA. Section 2 establishes an effective date. JUSTIFICATION:: Currently, New York State does not automatically recognize a veteran's 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as an immediate qualifier for a license plate bearing the Universal Symbol of Access. Although a physician may certify a veteran as 100% disabled according to VA standards, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses a separate application form and criteria that do not align with federal standards. This misalignment creates incon- sistencies between the DMV's definition of a "Severely Disabled Person" and the VA's established determinations. Veterans who have received a 100% service-connected disability rating have already undergone extensive medical evaluations and have been deemed eligible for all necessary accommodation. Yet, despite these federal determinations, they are often required to navigate redundant and conflicting state-Level processes to obtain basic accessibility benefits. For individuals who already endure life-altering injuries and persistent health challenges, these bureaucratic hurdles impose unneces- sary hardship. Access to parking and mobility accommodations through the Universal Symbol of Access is not a privilege, it is a necessity for disabled veterans. This bill corrects these discrepancies by recognizing VA disability ratings as sufficient proof of eligibility, ensuring consistency between state and federal standards. It also relieves doctors of the burden of re-certifying disabilities already verified by the VA. Physicians are currently required to interpret DMV standards that may not match their medical records or VA documentation, creating confusion and additional paperwork. By streamlining the process and eliminating duplicative certifications, this legislation reduces administrative pressure on medical professionals, lowers liability risk, and allows doctors to focus their time and expertise on providing care rather than navigating unnecessary bureaucracy.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

Rules · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Rules · New York State Senate, Transportation · New York State Assembly, Transportation · New York State Senate.

Recorded votes

• Vote: Floor vote

  NY SenateMay 28, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A9351, the matching Assembly bill.

  Voted yes (60)Voted no (0)Voted present (0)Absent (3)

  See member positions for the vote on May 28, 2026 (Floor vote)

• Vote: Committee vote · Transportation

  Senate TransportationMay 19, 2026Result: passed

  Voted yes (12)Voted no (0)Voted present (0)Absent (1)

  See member positions for the vote on May 19, 2026 (Committee vote · Transportation)

Full history

1. May 28, 2026

   3RD Reading CAL.1271

   3RD READING CAL.1271

   NY Senate

2. May 28, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   PASSED SENATE

   NY Senate

3. May 28, 2026

   Substituted

   SUBSTITUTED BY A9351A

   NY Senate

4. May 21, 2026

   Advanced to Third Reading

   ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

   NY Senate

5. May 20, 2026

   2ND Report CAL.

   2ND REPORT CAL.

   NY Senate