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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4685 FILED ON: 11/9/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4172
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
STATE HOUSE · BOSTON, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000
MAURA T. HEALEY
GOVERNOR
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
November 9, 2023
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,
I am pleased to submit for your consideration An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing
our Servicemembers and Veterans.
On March 1, 2023, our administration established the Executive Office of Veterans Services
(EOVS), reaffirming our commitments to veterans who have sacrificed and served their nation,
and to provide an increased level of oversight, accountability, and professionalism. This
important step was made possible because of the leadership of the Legislature, and we are
grateful for their partnership in our efforts to improve veteran services across the state.
The Healey-Driscoll administration has completed a robust engagement process to better
understand the legislative and programmatic priorities of the veteran community. I am proud to
say that the administration has engaged with over 75 Veterans Service Officers representing over
100 municipalities, heard from over 30 nonprofit partners, and conducted a 50-state review of
veteran policy and legislative efforts. The legislation I am filing today consists of proposals
aimed at expanding veterans’ benefits, increasing inclusivity, and modernizing services.
The legislation will increase benefits and opportunities for veterans, including by:
1. Increasing the annuity paid to disabled veterans, surviving spouses, or Gold Star parents
from $2,000 to $2,500.
2. Allowing veterans who lack other options to be reimbursed for behavioral health
services.
3. Increasing the tax credit for employers who hire eligible veterans from $2,000 to $2,500. 2 of 2
4. Giving municipalities options to increase property tax exemptions for veterans, by
doubling the existing exemption for veterans alone and/or tying the exemption to
inflation.
5. Lengthening the timeframe in which veterans in public service can pay to have up to four
years of active-duty service time count toward their state retirement.
This legislation will redouble our commitment to inclusivity and greater representation of all our
veterans, including by:
1.Broadening the definition of veteran by aligning the state Chapter 115 program definition
of a veteran with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) definition,
allowing EOVS to serve more veterans.
2.Expanding the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board to allow individuals
discharged on the basis of additional protected classes (including race/ethnicity, color,
religious creed, national origin, age, and disability) to become eligible for state veterans
benefits.
3.Providing, through a two-year pilot program, in vitro fertilization (IVF) reimbursement to
disabled same-sex women veterans who have been denied IVF reimbursement by the VA
solely because they are in a same-sex marriage.
And this legislation will modernize our approach to serving veterans, including by:
1.Revising Chapter 115 and 115A to ensure gender neutral and inclusive language while
removing antiquated references.
2.Creating a public-private working group to study the health benefits of psychedelics as
treatment for veterans suffering physical or mental disorders related to their service.
Our veterans answered the call to serve our state and country, and they deserve the utmost
dignity, respect, and support for their service. This bill reaffirms the Commonwealth’s
commitment to supporting all of our servicemembers and their families.
I urge your favorable consideration of this legislation.
Respectfully submitted,
Maura T. Healey,
Governor 1 of 27
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4172
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act honoring, empowering, and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 34 of chapter 2 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the word “department” and
3inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.
4 SECTION 2. Subsection (d) of section 16DD of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so
5appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 29, the word “department” and inserting in
6place thereof the following words:- executive office.
7 SECTION 3. Section 105 of said chapter 6A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
8striking out, in line 1, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
9executive office.
10 SECTION 4. Section 4G of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
11amended by striking out, in lines 7 to 8, the words “the department of veterans’ services”. 2 of 27
12 SECTION 5. Subsection (k) of section 61 of said chapter 7, as so appearing, is hereby
13amended by striking out, in lines 124 to 125, the word “department” and inserting in place
14thereof the following words:- executive office.
15 SECTION 6. Paragraph 2 of section 17 of chapter 11 of the General Laws, as so
16appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 21, the word “department” and inserting in
17place thereof the following words:- executive office.
18 SECTION 7. Section 49 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
19amended by striking out, in lines 14 to 15, the words “in the City of Chelsea”.
20 SECTION 8. Subsection (h) of said section 4 of said chapter 32, as so appearing, is
21hereby amended by inserting after the words “United States shall be”, in lines 148 to 149, the
22following words:- provided written notice by the retirement board upon entry into service that
23they are.
24 SECTION 9. Said subsection (h) of said section 4 of said chapter 32, as so appearing, is
25hereby further amended by inserting after the word “member”, in line 151, the following words:-
26prior to or within 1 year of vesting pursuant to this chapter.
27 SECTION 10. Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
28amended by inserting after clause Twenty-second H the following 2 clauses:-
29 Twenty-second I. In a city or town that accepts this section and is certified by the
30commissioner to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, an abatement granted
31pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C,
32Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be increased annually by an amount equal to the 3 of 27
33increase in the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index for such year. The
34department of revenue shall annually inform each city or town that accepts this clause of the
35amount of this increase.
36 Twenty-second J. In a city or town that accepts this section and is certified by the
37commissioner to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, a taxpayer who
38otherwise qualifies for an exemption pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A,
39Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be granted an
40additional exemption that shall be uniform for all herein named exemptions and the amount of
41which shall not exceed 100 per cent of the exemption for which the taxpayer qualifies, as may be
42determined by the legislative body of the city or town, subject to its charter, not later than the
43beginning of the fiscal year to which the additional exemption shall commence. Once accepted,
44the amount of the exemption shall continue until amended by the legislative body of the city or
45town. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the exemption shall be in
46addition to any exemption allowable pursuant to said section 5; provided, however, that in no
47instance shall the taxable valuation of the property, after all applicable exemptions, be reduced
48below 10 per cent of its full and fair cash valuation, except through the applicability of clause
49Eighteenth of said section 5. Acceptance of this section by a city or town shall not increase the
50amount that it otherwise would have been reimbursed by the commonwealth pursuant to the
51respective clause. The additional exemption contained within this section shall not be
52implemented in any year in which the city or town has also accepted the section 5C1/2 of chapter
5359. 4 of 27
54 SECTION 11. Paragraph (1) of subsection (u) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General
55Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 1113, the figure “2,000” and
56inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2,500.
57 SECTION 12. Paragraph (4) of said subsection (u) of said section 6 of said chapter 62,
58as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 1130, the figure “2,000” and inserting
59in place thereof the following figure:- 2,500.
60 SECTION 13. Subsection (a) of section 38GG of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so
61appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 8, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place
62thereof the following figure:- 2,500.
63 SECTION 14. Subsection (d) of said section 38GG of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is
64hereby amended by striking out, in line 24, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place thereof the
65following figure:- 2,500.
66 SECTION 15. Section 6 of chapter 64H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
67amended by striking out subsection (u) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
68 (u) Sale of a motor vehicle purchased by and for the use of a person who has suffered
69loss, or permanent loss of use of, both legs or both arms or one leg and one arm or by and for the
70use of a veteran who has been determined to be permanently disabled by the medical advisory
71board established under section 8C of chapter 90 and has been issued a disabled veteran number
72plate or a purple heart recipient plate under section 2 of said chapter 90; provided that this
73exemption shall apply to 1 motor vehicle only owned and registered for the personal,
74noncommercial use of such person. A person issued a purple heart recipient plate shall not have
75to forfeit their purple heart recipient plate for a disabled veteran number plate in order to receive 5 of 27
76the exemption from the tax in this paragraph. A person issued a purple heart recipient plate and a
77disability placard shall receive the exemption from the tax in this subsection.
78 SECTION 16. Section 4 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
79amended by striking out, in lines 32 and 39, each time it appears, the word “department” and
80inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.
81 SECTION 17. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
82amended by striking out the words “pleasure passenger vehicles owned by veterans who,
83according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration, has been determined to
84have a service-connected disability rating of 60 per cent or greater and by reason of service in the
85armed forces of the United States have suffered loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet;
86or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent impairment of vision of both
87eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with
88corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which
89the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field
90subtends an angular distance no greater than twenty degrees in the better eye, or any other
91disability or handicap of such veterans which may be determined by the medical advisory board
92as established by section eight C, and”.
93 SECTION 18. The seventh paragraph of said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so
94appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the third and fourth sentences.
95 SECTION 19. Said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further
96amended by striking out the words “and the words “Disabled Veteran” for a pleasure passenger
97vehicle or a pick-up truck owned or leased by and used by a veteran who, according to the 6 of 27
98records of the United States Veterans’ Administration, by reason of service in the armed forces
99of the United States has suffered loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet; or loss or
100permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes of
101the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with corrective
102glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which the
103peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field subtends
104an angular distance no greater that 20 degrees in the better eye, or any other disability or
105handicap”.
106 SECTION 20. Said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further
107amended by striking out the twelfth paragraph.
108 SECTION 21. Said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further
109amended by striking out the fifteenth through seventeenth, inclusive, paragraphs.
110 SECTION 22. Said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further
111amended by striking out the nineteenth through twenty-second, inclusive, paragraphs.
112 SECTION 23. Chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
113section 2I the following section:-
114 Section 2J. (a) The registrar is hereby authorized, required, and directed to design and
115maintain a series on distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who have served in
116the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military
117service. Any veteran meeting the definition of a veteran in clause forty-third of section 7 of
118chapter 4, or section 1 of chapter 115, or is eligible for the annuity provided under section 6C of
119chapter 115, shall be eligible and entitled to a veteran plate which shall carry the denotation 7 of 27
120“VETERAN”, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of such status as determined by the
121registrar.
122 (b) Veterans ranked as at least 60 per cent disabled by the United States Veterans
123Administration, including those who have suffered the loss of a limb, permanent visual acuity
124loss of 20/200 in an eye, or are otherwise determined to be disabled or handicapped by the
125medical advisory board established in section 8C, shall be entitled to a distinctive disabled
126veteran plate.
127 (c) Veterans who have been captured and incarcerated by foreign forces in conflict or
128held as prisoners of war shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status.
129 (d) Veterans who are members of the Legion of Valor of the United States Inc. shall be
130entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status. Residents of the commonwealth awarded
131the Congressional Medal of Honor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status,
132including, subject to availability, the use of the initials of the award recipient followed by CMH
133signifying their award.
134 (e) Veterans entitled to a distinctive plate shall be entitled to have a distinctive emblem or
135decal reflecting service in Operation Enduring Freedom, the receipt of the Iraqi Freedom
136Campaign Ribbon, an Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, a Persian Gulf Campaign Ribbon, the
137receipt of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Inherent
138Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service
139Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Prisoner of War Medal.
140 (f) Veterans awarded the Order of the Purple Heart shall be entitled to a distinctive plate
141indicating that status which shall include the words “COMBAT WOUNDED.” 8 of 27
142 (g) Survivors of the attack upon Pearl Harbor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate
143reflecting that status and also bearing the word “VETERAN” thereupon.
144 (h) Residents of the commonwealth serving in the national guard, any branch, shall be
145entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.
146 (i) Residents of the commonwealth awarded the Medal of Liberty under chapter 33 shall
147be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.
148 (j) Residents of the commonwealth identifying as a woman veteran who served in any
149branch shall be entitled to a distinctive decal which the registry of motor vehicles shall design
150and issue.
151 (k) A veteran who has served in the armed forces and is entitled to veteran plate shall also
152be entitled to the issuance of a decal or emblem denoting their branch of service.
153 (l) Owners of private vehicles awarded a decoration for valor or gallantry, as defined
154herein, shall be entitled to a distinctive veteran plate or emblem or decal denoting their award
155status. The awards references in this paragraph shall be as follows: the Silver Star, the Bronze
156Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Distinguish Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air
157Force Cross, and any other similar award designated by the secretary of veterans’ services under
158the auspices of section 1 of chapter 115.
159 (m) A resident of the commonwealth qualifying as a Gold Star parent, child, sibling,
160grandchild or spouse shall be entitled to either a distinctive plate or an emblem or decal denoting
161their status. A distinctive plate, under this paragraph, may not be used in conjunction with a
162motor vehicle which has promotional or advertising material thereupon. A Gold Star Family 9 of 27
163member is defined as a parent, child, spouse, sibling or grandchild of a member of the armed
164forces who is killed in action.
165 (n) The next of kin of a member of the armed forces, in possession of a Gold Star Lapel
166Button under the regulations of the United States Secretary of Defense, shall be entitled to a
167Gold Star Family distinctive plate. Said button shall not be an eligibility requirement for those
168who have presented other satisfactory evidence of their status, as determined by the registrar.
169 (o) Under any special recognition or status recognized in this section, the widowed
170person may not be compelled to surrender their distinctive plate, emblem or decal unless they
171remarry, cancel or fail to renew registration. If the deceased person was entitled to recognition
172under any portion of this section but did not apply for special status under this section, the
173widowed person may nonetheless apply in the stead of their deceased spouse.
174 (p) Any special status under this section shall entitle the bearer to only one special plate,
175emblem, or decal. However, such person may, at their option, have the distinctive plate, emblem,
176or decal issued in a form suitable for use on a motorcycle rather than a passenger car.
177 (q) Any plate to which an individual is entitled under this section shall be issued without
178fee other than the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles and
179motorcycles. The registrar may provide individuals the option of paying an additional fee. Any
180fees generated under this section shall be distributed to the state-operated veterans’ homes on an
181equal basis, to their special account, up to one-half million dollars for each home. Any excess
182shall be placed in the special trust fund subject to the control of the secretary of veterans’
183services. 10 of 27
184 SECTION 24. Subsection (a) of section 244 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as
185appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the word
186“commissioner” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- secretary.
187 SECTION 25. Subsection (b) of said section 244 of said chapter 111, as so appearing, is
188hereby amended by striking out, in lines 28, 35 and 38, each time it appears, the word
189“commissioner” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- secretary.
190 SECTION 26. Subsection (c) of said section 244 of said chapter 111, as so appearing, is
191hereby amended by striking out, in line 43, the word “department’s” and inserting in place
192thereof the following words:- executive office’s.
193 SECTION 27. Said subsection (c) of said section 244 of said chapter 111, as so
194appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 43, the word “department” and
195inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.
196 SECTION 28. Section 1 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
197amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, the words “wife, husband, widow, widower, mother or
198father” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- spouse, widowed person or parent.
199 SECTION 29. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
200amended by striking out, in line 6, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
201words:- the veteran’s.
202 SECTION 30. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
203amended by striking out, in lines 8 to 16, inclusive, the words “such child is attending school for
204the purpose of completing a regulation high school course or its equivalent, or unless he is 11 of 27
205mentally or physically unable to support himself, and his disability existed before he attained that
206age, or unless he is under twenty-three years of age, and is a full-time student at an educational
207institution which maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and has a regularly organized body
208of students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are carried on” and inserting
209in place thereof the following words:- the child meets the criteria established for emancipation
210pursuant to section 28 of chapter 208 or section 9 of chapter 209C or unless the child is mentally
211or physically unable to support themselves after attaining the age of 23.
212 SECTION 31. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
213amended by striking out, in line 25, the word “his”, each time it appears, and inserting in place
214thereof the following word:- their.
215 SECTION 32. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
216amended by striking out, in line 26, the words “he applies” and inserting in place thereof the
217following words:- they apply.
218 SECTION 33. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
219amended by striking out the definition of “veteran” and inserting in place thereof the following
220definition:-
221 “Veteran”, any person who (a) was a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third, section 7 of
222chapter 4; or (b) served on active duty, to include active duty solely for training purposes, in the
223armed forces for at least 90 days and whose last discharge or release was under conditions other
224than dishonorable; or (c) served on active duty, to include active duty solely for training
225purposes, in the armed forces, and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in
226such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (d) served in the national guard or as a 12 of 27
227reservist in any branch of the armed forces, including active duty solely for training purposes,
228and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions
229other than dishonorable; or (e) is determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of
230Veterans Affairs; provided that, in any case, the service of such person was entered into or
231served in Massachusetts, or such person has resided in the commonwealth for 1 day except for
232the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran’s dependents.
233 SECTION 34. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
234amended by striking out, in lines 54 to 55, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section
235seven of chapter four,”.
236 SECTION 35. Section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
237striking out, in lines 1 to 2, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of
238chapter four,”.
239 SECTION 36. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
240amended by striking out, in lines 7, 20, 39, 45 and 98, each time it appears, the word “his” and
241inserting in place thereof the following word:- the.
242 SECTION 37. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
243amended by striking out, in lines 8, 12, 20, 66, 75, 103, 123, 131, 139 and 150, each time it
244appears, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- The secretary.
245 SECTION 38. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
246amended by striking out, in lines 12, 63, 71, 89, 98, 113, 118 and 119, each time it appears, the
247word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary. 13 of 27
248 SECTION 39. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
249amended by striking out, in lines 13, 14, 61, 76, 118, 125, 129, 134 and 142, each time it
250appears, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary.
251 SECTION 40. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
252amended by striking out the sixth paragraph.
253 SECTION 41. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
254amended by striking out, in lines 153 and 156, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting
255in place thereof the following word:- a.
256 SECTION 42. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
257amended by striking out, in line 155, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
258following word:- chairperson.
259 SECTION 43. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
260amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-
261 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a medical assistance benefit over
262and above other benefits under this chapter. A recipient of the medical assistance benefit shall,
263where applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded resources before seeking aid
264under this chapter. The medical assistance benefit shall include but not be limited to covering the
265cost of those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions and costs. The secretary shall,
266by regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
267 The secretary shall provide, subject to the appropriation, a behavioral health assistance
268benefit over and above other benefits under this chapter. A recipient of the behavioral health 14 of 27
269assistance benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded
270resources before seeking aid under this chapter. The behavioral health assistance benefit shall
271include but not be limited to covering the cost of those necessary outpatient behavioral health
272assessments, evaluations, visits, prescriptions, costs and other such treatment as the secretary
273shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation or otherwise, make
274provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
275 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a dental assistance benefit over and
276above other benefits under this chapter. A recipient of the dental assistance benefit shall, where
277applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded resources before seeking aid under this
278chapter. The dental assistance benefit shall include but not be limited to covering the cost of
279those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions and costs. The secretary shall, by
280regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
281 SECTION 44. Section 2B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
282striking out, in lines 7 and 8, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof
283the following word:- a.
284 SECTION 45. Section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
285striking out, in line 17, the following word:- his.
286 SECTION 46. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
287amended by striking out, in line 18, the following words:- civil war.
288 SECTION 47. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
289amended by striking out, in lines 18 to 19, the words “his wife or widow” and inserting in place
290thereof the following words:- a veteran’s spouse or widowed person. 15 of 27
291 SECTION 48. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
292amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
293words:- the secretary.
294 SECTION 49. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
295amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
296words:- the agent’s.
297 SECTION 50. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
298amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
299words:- the veteran.
300 SECTION 51. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
301striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the
302veteran’s.
303 SECTION 52. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
304amended by striking out, in lines 25 and 27, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in
305place thereof the following words:- the agent.
306 SECTION 53. Section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
307striking out, in lines 4, 5 and 8, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof
308the following word:- the.
309 SECTION 54. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
310amended by striking out, in line 14, the word “widow” and inserting in place thereof the
311following words:- widowed person. 16 of 27
312 SECTION 55. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
313amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
314word:- their.
315 SECTION 56. Section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
316striking out, in line 2, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the
317veteran.
318 SECTION 57. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
319amended by striking out, in line 3, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
320word:- they.
321 SECTION 58. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
322amended by striking out, in lines 4, 7, 16, 25, 26, 43, 45, 51, 54, 59, 62, 63 and 66, each time it
323appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.
324 SECTION 59. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
325amended by striking out, in lines 5 to 10, the words “unless he has actually resided within the
326commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of his application for such
327benefits, nor unless the veteran of whom he is a dependent has actually resided within the
328commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of such dependent’s
329application for such benefits” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- except upon
330like terms.
331 SECTION 60. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
332amended by striking out, in lines 22 and 27, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in
333place thereof the following word:- them. 17 of 27
334 SECTION 61. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
335amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “himself” and inserting in place thereof the
336following word:- themselves.
337 SECTION 62. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
338amended by striking out in lines 39 and 54, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the
339following words:- the veteran’s.
340 SECTION 63. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
341amended by striking out, in line 42, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
342words:- the secretary’s.
343 SECTION 64. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
344amended by striking out, in line 55, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
345words:- the veteran.
346 SECTION 65. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
347amended by striking out, in line 57, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
348words:- the veteran.
349 SECTION 66. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
350amended by striking out, in line 59, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following
351word:- They.
352 SECTION 67. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
353amended by striking out, in line 61, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
354word:- they. 18 of 27
355 SECTION 68. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
356amended by striking out, in line 74, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
357words:- them.
358 SECTION 69. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
359amended by striking out, in line 92, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
360words:- the veterans’ agent’s.
361 SECTION 70. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
362amended by striking out, in lines 95, 99 and 103, each time it appears, the word “mother” and
363inserting in place thereof the following word:- parent.
364 SECTION 71. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
365amended by striking out, in line 100, the word “her” and inserting in place thereof the following
366words:- the parent’s own.
367 SECTION 72. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
368amended by striking out, in lines 102 and 103, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting
369in place thereof the following words:- the veteran’s.
370 SECTION 73. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
371amended by striking out, in line 106, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
372words:- the secretary.
373 SECTION 74. The seventh paragraph of said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so
374appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- An increase in income from a
375cost-of-living adjustment made to social security, supplemental security income or social 19 of 27
376security disability insurance shall not serve to render any recipient ineligible for benefits under
377this chapter in the year that the cost-of-living adjustment was issued.
378 SECTION 75. Section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
379striking out, in lines 2, 8, 11, 40, 57, 60, and 63 to 64, each time they appear, the words “mother
380or father” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- parent.
381 SECTION 76. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
382amended by striking out, in lines 16 to 17, the words “mother’s or father’s” and inserting in place
383thereof the following word:- parent’s.
384 SECTION 77. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
385amended by striking out, in line 33, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
386word:- them.
387 SECTION 78. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
388amended by striking out, in line 41, the words “in his” and inserting in place thereof the
389following words:- within their.
390 SECTION 79. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
391amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
392words:- the secretary’s.
393 SECTION 80. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
394amended by striking out, in lines 47 to 48, the words “the petition in his own name” and inserting
395in place thereof the following words:- a petition. 20 of 27
396 SECTION 81. Section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
397striking out, in line 3, the word “him”.
398 SECTION 82. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
399amended by striking out, in line 12, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in place
400thereof the following words:- the secretary.
401 SECTION 83. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
402amended by striking out, in lines 15 and 19, each time it appears, the word “he” and inserting in
403place thereof the following words:- the secretary.
404 SECTION 84. Section 6A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby repealed.
405 SECTION 85. Section 6B of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
406Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 19, 28 and 35, each time it appears,
407the figure “2,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2,250.
408 SECTION 86. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
409amended by striking out, in lines 19, 28 and 35, each time it appears, the figure “2,250” and
410inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 2,500.
411 SECTION 87. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
412amended by striking out, in lines 21 and 30, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in
413place thereof the following words:- the veteran’s.
414 SECTION 88. Section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
415striking out, in line 4, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- The
416burial agent. 21 of 27
417 SECTION 89. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
418amended by striking out, in line 8, the words “his wife, or his widow” and inserting in place
419thereof the following words:- spouse, or widowed person.
420 SECTION 90. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
421amended by striking out, in line 10, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
422words:- the burial agent.
423 SECTION 91. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
424amended by striking out, in lines 12 and 14, each time it appears, the word “he” and inserting in
425place thereof the following words:- the burial agent.
426 SECTION 92. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
427amended by striking out, in line 17, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
428word:- their.
429 SECTION 93. Section 8 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
430striking out, in line 23, the words “widow, or widower” and inserting in place thereof the
431following words:- widowed person.
432 SECTION 94. Section 9 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
433striking out, in line 3, the words “, as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter
434four,”.
435 SECTION 95. Said chapter 115 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended
436by inserting after Section 9 the following section:- 22 of 27
437 Section 9A. The executive office of veterans’ services shall have the authority to operate,
438maintain and expand the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery located in Agawam and
439the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery located in Winchendon, and may add new
440locations, subject to the availability of funds, to meet veterans and dependents’ needs. This
441authority includes, but is not limited to, the maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery grounds,
442facilities and infrastructure, the burial and interment services in accordance with established
443federal protocols and regulations and the overall management and administration of the
444cemeteries. The executive office may adopt additional rules, regulations and policies as
445necessary to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure the proper functioning of the cemeteries under
446its control.
447 SECTION 96. Section 10 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
448Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, the word “his” and inserting in
449place thereof the following word:- their.
450 SECTION 97. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
451amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32, the words “duties of his office” and inserting in
452place thereof the following words:- office’s duties.
453 SECTION 98. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
454amended by striking out, in line 32, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
455word:- the.
456 SECTION 99. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
457amended by striking out, in line 37, the words “his duties as treasurer of the district” and
458inserting in place thereof the following words:- the district treasurer’s duties. 23 of 27
459 SECTION 100. Section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
460striking out, in lines 2 and 5, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof
461the following word:- their.
462 SECTION 101. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
463amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
464following word:- chairperson.
465 SECTION 102. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
466amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
467word:- the.
468 SECTION 103. Section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
469striking out, in line 4, the words “he, and his duly accredited agents,” and inserting in place
470thereof the following words: they and their agents.
471 SECTION 104. Said section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
472amended by striking out, in line 11, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
473word:- a.
474 SECTION 105. Section 16 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
475inserting after the first sentence the following sentence:- The veterans equality review board
476shall also ensure that veterans who received an other than honorable discharge because of sex,
477race, color, religious creed, national origin, age, genetic information, ancestry, marital status,
478disability or any U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs category eligible for upgrade, including,
479but not limited to, mental health conditions, military sexual trauma and traumatic brain injury,
480receive state-based veteran benefits. 24 of 27
481 SECTION 106. Section 9 of chapter 115A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
482hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “home in the city of Chelsea” and inserting
483in place thereof the following word:- homes.
484 SECTION 107. Section 3 of chapter 115B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
485hereby amended by striking out, in line 16, the words “home in the city of Chelsea; and the chair
486of the board of trustees of the veterans’ home in the city of Holyoke” and inserting in place
487thereof the following word:- homes.
488 SECTION 108. Subsection (c) of section 73B of chapter 272 of the General Laws, as so
489appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 18 and 23, each time it appears, the word
490“department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.
491 SECTION 109. Section 11 of chapter 276A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
492hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 13, each time it appears, the word “department”
493and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.
494 SECTION 110. Section 3 of chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended by section 2 of
495chapter 468 of the acts of 2002, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph.
496 SECTION 111. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any member
497of a retirement system who is a member in service and a veteran who failed to make the purchase
498authorized in paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws
499within the required 180 days pursuant to chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended, shall be
500given a 1-time opportunity to apply to the retirement system to make said purchase within 1
501years from the effective date of this act. Each retirement system shall provide written notice to 25 of 27
502all members in service of their potential eligibility for this purchase within 90 days of the
503effective date of this act.
504 SECTION 112. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary
505of veterans’ services, in coordination with the executive office of health and human services,
506shall convene a working group to review alternative therapies for mental health treatments for
507veterans. The working group shall: (i) study whether psychedelic therapy is associated with
508improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed mental health disorders; (ii) evaluate
509literature, research trials and expert opinions to determine if psychedelic therapy is associated
510with improved outcomes regarding mental health treatment for veterans; and (iii) issue
511recommendations regarding the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat veterans with mental
512health disorders in Massachusetts. As used in this section, “psychedelic therapy” shall mean the
513use of psilocybin, ketamine, or 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, under the direction of a
514health care provider, to treat mental health disorders.
515 The secretary shall appoint the following members of the working group: 2 members who
516shall represent medical centers or hospitals in Massachusetts that serve veterans; 2 members who
517shall represent health insurance companies; 2 members who shall represent veteran-services
518organizations; 1 member who shall represent an organization currently studying this subject
519matter; and such other members as the secretary deems necessary. The members of the working
520group shall have experience in behavioral health or veteran services. The secretary may
521designate a chair of the working group.
522 Not later than January 1, 2025, the working group shall file a report of its findings and
523any recommendations with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint 26 of 27
524committee on veterans and federal affairs, and the joint committee on mental health, substance
525use and recovery.
526 SECTION 113. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the
527executive office of veterans’ services shall administer a 2-year pilot program to offer
528reimbursement to veterans who: (i) have a service-related injury that necessitates treatment for
529infertility through in vitro fertilization; (ii) reside in the commonwealth; and (iii) would
530otherwise be eligible to receive coverage for that treatment by the U.S. Department of Veterans
531Affairs but have been denied coverage solely due to being married to a spouse of the same sex.
532 (b) Eligible veterans seeking coverage under this section shall submit appropriate
533documentation, as the executive office requires, which may include, but not be limited to, proof
534of denial of coverage from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and medical documentation
535supporting the need for treatment. Any information provided under this section to the executive
536office shall be held confidential consistent with federal and state law.
537 (c) The executive office may contract with a vendor to facilitate the program and develop
538policies or procedures required for the administration of this section.
539 (d) There shall be a working group to review and advise the executive office on the pilot
540program. The secretary of the executive office of veterans’ services shall assess and determine
541who will be on the working group, and at least one member shall be a veteran who shall
542represent the interest of same sex couples.
543 The working group shall advise on matters including, but not limited to, the following: (i)
544the implementation of the pilot program; (ii) the potential long-term funding strategies to provide
545reimbursement for in vitro fertilization for the population of veterans described in subsection (a); 27 of 27
546and (iii) any additional areas where veterans receive disparate access to health care services from
547the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not limited to sexual orientation or marital status.
548 (e) Not later than 3 months after the conclusion of the pilot program, the executive office
549shall post a report on its website which describes the activities of the pilot program and all the
550working group’s recommendations.
551 SECTION 114. Sections 43 and 85 shall take effect as of July 1, 2024.
552 SECTION 115. Section 86 shall take effect as of July 1, 2025.
553 SECTION 116. Sections 15 and 17 through 23, inclusive, shall take effect 6 months from
554the effective date of this act.