NEWS RELEASES
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through Stars And Stripes's website.
Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., has introduced a bill to grant all disabled veterans free lifetime access to national parks and federal recreation sites. The new bill would allow veterans of any disability rating to receive a lifelong pass. Service members qualify for a free pass to national parks, regardless on whether they have a disability. Steve Beynon, of Stars and Stripes, relays in his article "Anyone, including civilians, with “permanent disability” that “severely limits one or more major life activities" are now eligible for a lifetime pass for national parks, according to a spokeswoman for the National Park Service. However, there's no clear definition of "permanent disability.” 4.7 million veterans had service connected disability, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2018. If they are able to provide proof of permanent disability, disabled veterans can try applying for a free pass at store.usgs.gov.
For more information on the new bill, click here.