AUGUSTA — The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services has announced changes to the Maine Resident Lifetime Veteran Park Pass.

Starting Sunday, July 1, all veterans may access the Maine State Museum, free of charge, upon showing their Maine Resident Lifetime Veteran Park Pass.

The scheduled change will take effect due to the passage of L.D. 1656, “An Act To Allow Veterans Free Admission to the Maine State Museum.” Veterans obtaining a Maine Resident Lifetime Veteran Park Pass after July 1 will receive the new pass, which will indicate museum admission. Those currently holding an older version of the Veteran Park Pass will have their pass honored by the Maine State Museum.

Recreational licenses and privileges make up four of the almost 20 state-run programs offered to Maine veterans — one of which includes the Maine Resident Lifetime Veteran Park Pass. The pass, administered by the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, is issued to all veterans meeting the following criteria:

• The veteran is a resident of Maine; and

• The veteran received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions.

While the current $3 admission fee for the Maine State Museum may seem nominal, many Maine veterans find themselves living on fixed incomes. Senior citizens holding a Maine Resident Lifetime Veteran Park Pass will now be able to visit the Museum for free, in lieu of the current $2 senior citizen discount.

The Maine State Museum is located at 230 State St. in Augusta and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The museum is closed on all state holidays.

Any veteran wishing to obtain a park pass may do so by completing and returning their application to the bureau along with a copy of their DD 214. Park pass applications can be found at www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits. Completed applications should be mailed to Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, 117 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0117.

For more information on the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, or to contact the nearest veterans’ service office, go to maine.gov/veterans/ or call 207-430-6035.