An Act concerning identification cards issued by a county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages for a Gold Star Family Member and amending P.L.2017, c.289.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.8) is amended to read as follows:
C.40A:9-78.8 Short title.
1. Sections 1 through 8 of P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.8 et seq.) shall be known and may be cited as the "County Identification Cards for Gold Star Families Act."
2. Section 2 of P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.9) is amended to read as follows:
C.40A:9-78.9 “Gold Star Parent” defined.
2. As used in this act, P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.8 et seq.), "Gold Star Family Member" means a parent, legal guardian or other legal custodian, related by blood or by law to, or a spouse, domestic partner, or partner in civil union of, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who died while on active duty for the United States, or a child to whom the member was a parent, legal guardian or other legal custodian, whether related by blood or by law.
3. Section 3 of P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.10) is amended to read as follows:
C.40A:9-78.10 Gold Star Parent identification card program.
3. A county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages, as appropriate, may establish a Gold Star Family identification card program for the sole purpose of identifying the holder as a Gold Star Family Member when such identification is required to receive discounts or other courtesies extended to military families.
4. Section 4 of P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.11) is amended to read as follows:
C.40A:9-78.11 Issuance of Gold Star Parent identification card.
4. When such a program has been authorized, the county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages, as appropriate, shall issue an identification card to any Gold Star Family Member who is a resident of the county. The Gold Star Family identification card shall display the words "Gold Star Family Member," bear the true name and branch of the armed forces in which the person who lost his or her life while on active duty for the United States served, and other identifying information as certified by the applicant for the Gold Star Family identification card. Every application for a Gold Star Family identification card shall be signed and certified by the applicant and shall be supported by such documentary evidence as the county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages, as appropriate, may require.
5. Section 5 of P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.12) is amended to read as follows:
C.40A:9-78.12 Application of issuance.
5. a. Application for issuance of a Gold Star Family identification card shall be made in a manner prescribed by the county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages, as appropriate. In order to be deemed complete, an application shall be accompanied by proof satisfactory to the county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages, as appropriate, that the applicant is a family member of a member of the armed forces who died while on active duty for the United States. Proof satisfactory may include any or all of the following:
(1) a certification of an organization formed for the support of parents or other family members of members of the armed forces who lost their lives while on active duty for the United States that the applicant is, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption, as applicable, a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union, parent, legal guardian or other legal custodian, or child of a member of the armed forces who died while on active duty for the United States;
(2) the service member's federal DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty, or its succeeding form, which identifies the member of the armed forces who died while on active duty for the United States; and
(3) documentation indicating the applicant's relationship to the service member.
The copy of the DD Form 1300 and the application shall be kept confidential and shall not be considered a government record under P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), except that they may be released to another government agency.
b. The county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages, as appropriate, may consult with a representative of the Department of New Jersey of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., or any other organization formed for the support of parents or other family members of members of the armed forces who lost their lives while on active duty for the United States or the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs when establishing the documentation that may constitute satisfactory proof of an applicant's relationship to the service member. In instances where an applicant is unable to produce documentation deemed acceptable, the Adjutant General shall assist in making a determination of the applicant's eligibility for a Gold Star Family identification card.
6. Section 6 of P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.13) is amended to read as follows:
C.40A:9-78.13 Unlawful actions.
6. It shall be unlawful for any person:
a. To display or cause or permit to be displayed or have in the person's possession any canceled, fictitious, fraudulently altered, or fraudulently obtained Gold Star Family identification card;
b. To lend the Gold Star Family identification card to any other person or knowingly permit the use thereof by another;
c. To display or represent any Gold Star Family identification card not issued to the person as being the person's card;
d. To permit any unlawful use of a Gold Star Family identification card issued to the person;
e. To photograph, photostat, duplicate, or in any way reproduce any Gold Star Family identification card or facsimile thereof in such a manner that it could be mistaken for a valid Gold Star Family identification card, or to display or have in the person's possession any such photograph, photostat, duplicate, reproduction, or facsimile; or
f. To alter any Gold Star Family identification card in any manner.
7. Section 7 of P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.14) is amended to read as follows:
C.40A:9-78.14 Identification card not deemed official for certain purposes.
7. The Gold Star Family identification card issued under P.L.2017, c.289 (C.40A:9-78.8 et seq.), shall not be deemed sufficient valid proof of identity for official governmental purposes when a statute, regulation, or directive of a governmental entity requires proof of identity.
8. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved July 5, 2022.