Indiana State Senator Mark Messmer Authors Bill to Increase Veteran Benefit Awareness
State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) has authored Senate Bill 290, a legislative initiative aimed at increasing awareness of benefits available to veterans in Indiana. The bill proposes that the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) be allowed to share specific personal information from applications for various specialty license plates, such as the Disabled Hoosier Veteran and Purple Heart plates, with the Indiana Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). This information would enable the DVA to inform veterans about programs for which they may be eligible. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the BMV notify plate applicants that the DVA might contact them regarding these programs. Veterans would retain the option to opt out of this information disclosure by checking a box on their license plate application form. Senate Bill 290 received unanimous support from the Indiana Senate on January 24 and has since advanced to the House of Representatives for further deliberation. Senator Messmer represents Senate Distr...