Senators reintroduce bill to give free park access to disabled vets

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) reintroduced legislation Thursday that would give all veterans with a service-related disability a free, lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreational areas.

Such a pass is currently available only to veterans with a 100 percent disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a statement from Shaheen.

{mosads}The bill would allow all veterans disabled because of their service to be eligible for a free, lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, and allow them to enjoy hunting, fishing and other recreation on federal public lands.

“Veterans who have fought and sacrificed to protect American land deserve the opportunity to enjoy it,” Shaheen said in the statement. 

“In New Hampshire we are lucky to have some of the most beautiful recreational space in the country. Men and women with a service-connected disability have earned lifetime access to these national treasures.”

“It is fitting that those who have defended our freedoms should have free access to our nation’s parks and recreational lands,” added Collins. 

“From Acadia and the Appalachians to Yosemite and everywhere in between, our bill would allow Veterans to more easily engage in outdoor activities, which have been shown to help heal both the visible and invisible wounds of war.”