TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew allowing veterans and other military personnel to present certain forms of identification in lieu of municipal beach tags to gain admission to certain beaches was approved today by the Senate.
“This bill will make things much easier for our brave men and women who want to enjoy some time on a New Jersey beach during the summer season,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland). “These brave individuals and their families are making sacrifices every day. It’s only right we make life a little easier for them when it comes to enjoying the Jersey Shore. Even though we are a long way from beach season, there’s no reason not to do this now.”
S-2146 would allow a member of the US Armed Forces, their spouse and dependent child over the age of 12, access to a New Jersey beach, in a municipality which provides free beach access to veterans and service members, without having to get a beach tag. The bill will allow free access if the military member shows military ID, such as:
- valid military identification card;
- form DD-214 or similar document;
- Or State driver’s license or identification card indicating that the holder is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Under current law, municipalities may provide free or reduced fee beach access to persons in active military service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and to their spouse or dependent children over the age of 12; active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed Initial Active Duty Training and to their spouse or dependent children over the age of 12; and veterans who have served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and who were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable and who either have served at least 90 days in active duty or have been discharged or released from active duty by reason of an actual service-incurred injury or disability.
The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 36-0. It passed the Assembly in May by a vote of 72-0 and now heads to the governor’s desk.