Honoring, empowering, and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans
Impact
If enacted, H4172 would significantly improve the lives of many veterans by modernizing the language around veterans’ benefits to ensure inclusivity and representation. The amendments would harmonize Massachusetts law with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ definitions, allowing a broader group of individuals to access state veteran benefits. Provisions to reimburse in vitro fertilization costs for same-sex female veterans under specific conditions represent a considerable stride towards inclusivity and acknowledgment of diverse family structures among service members.
Summary
House Bill 4172, titled 'An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Servicemembers and Veterans', aims to enhance the support and benefits provided to veterans within Massachusetts. The bill proposes several amendments to existing veterans' laws, including increasing the annuity for disabled veterans and their families, expanding reimbursement options for behavioral health services, and raising tax credits for employers hiring veterans. Additionally, cities and towns would be permitted to increase property tax exemptions tied to inflation for veterans, thus easing their financial burden.
Contention
However, discussions surrounding the bill may reveal points of contention primarily related to the financial implications of these expanded benefits. Increased tax credits and exemptions might raise concerns among local governments regarding the sustainability of funding these measures. Additionally, tension may arise regarding the pilot program studying the health benefits of psychedelics for treating veterans' mental health—a topic that may invoke varied opinions concerning treatment methods for veterans recovering from service-related issues.
So much of the message from Her Excellency the Governor returning the General Appropriation Bill for fiscal year 2024 (see House, No. 4040) as relates to Attachments A through G, for items returned with disapproval of wording under the provisions of Section 5 of Article LXIII and sections returned with recommendations of amendments under the provisions of Article LVI of the Amendments to the Constitution (House, No. 4055). August 9, 2023
So much of the message from Her Excellency the Governor returning the General Appropriation Bill for fiscal year 2026 (see House, No. 4240) as relates to Attachments B and C, for items returned with disapproval of wording under the provisions of Section 5 of Article LXIII and sections returned with recommendations of amendments under the provisions of Article LVI of the Amendments to the Constitution (House, No. 4250). July 4, 2025