HOUSE . . . . . . . No. 4661
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
______________________________________
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, May 21, 2024.
The committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Bill
honoring, empowering, and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans
(printed in House, No. 4172, changed), reports recommending that the
same ought to pass with an amendment substituting therefor the
accompanying bill (House, No. 4661).
For the committee,
AARON MICHLEWITZ.
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FILED ON: 5/21/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4661
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.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to
provide forthwith to honor, empower and recognize servicemembers and veterans in the
commonwealth, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public convenience.
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. Chapter 6 is hereby amended by inserting after section 15ZZZZZZ the
5following section:-
6 Section 15AAAAAAA. (a) The governor shall annually issue a proclamation on
7Memorial Day in recognition of the sacrifices of Gold Star families in the commonwealth and
8the following landmarks and bridges shall be illuminated in gold on Memorial Day to
9commemorate and recognize the lives of those lost in military service, including, but not limited
10to: 2 of 30
11 (1) the Gold Star Families Bridge in the city of Lynn;
12 (2) the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge in the cities of Boston and
13Cambridge;
14 (3) the Longfellow Bridge in the cities of Boston and Cambridge;
15 (4) the Fore River Bridge in the city of Quincy and the town of Weymouth; and
16 (5) the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge in the city of Worcester and the town of
17Shrewsbury.
18 (b) The governor, the department of transportation, the executive office of veterans’
19services and the Military Friends Foundation shall establish policies and procedures necessary to
20implement this section.
21 SECTION 3. Subsection (d) of section 16DD of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as
22appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 29, the second
23time it appears, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
24executive office.
25 SECTION 4. Section 105 of said chapter 6A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
26striking out, in line 1, the words “a department” and inserting in place thereof the following
27words:- an executive office.
28 SECTION 5. Section 4G of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
29amended by striking out, in lines 7 to 8, the words “the department of veterans’ services,”. 3 of 30
30 SECTION 6. Section 61 of said chapter 7, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
31out, in lines 124 and 125, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following
32words:- executive office.
33 SECTION 7. Section 17 of chapter 11 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
34amended by striking out, in line 21, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the
35following words:- executive office.
36 SECTION 8. Section 49 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
37amended by striking out, in lines 14 and 15, the words “home in the city of Chelsea” and
38inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes.
39 SECTION 9. Section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
40amended by inserting after the word “be”, in line 148, the following words:- provided written
41notice by the retirement board upon entry into service that they are.
42 SECTION 10. Said section 4 of said chapter 32, as so appearing, is hereby further
43amended by inserting after the word “member”, in line 151, the following words:- , prior to or
44within 1 year of vesting pursuant to this chapter,.
45 SECTION 11. Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
46amended by inserting after clause Twenty-second H the following 2 clauses:-
47 Twenty-second I. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the
48commissioner to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, an abatement granted
49pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C,
50Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be increased annually by an amount equal to the 4 of 30
51increase in the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index for such year. The
52department of revenue shall annually inform each city or town that accepts this clause of the
53amount of this increase.
54 Twenty-second J. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the
55commissioner to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, a taxpayer who
56otherwise qualifies for an exemption pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A,
57Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be granted an
58additional exemption that shall be uniform for all herein named exemptions and the amount of
59which shall not exceed 100 per cent of the exemption for which the taxpayer qualifies, as may be
60determined by the legislative body of the city or town, subject to its charter, not later than the
61beginning of the fiscal year to which the additional exemption shall commence. Once accepted,
62the amount of the exemption shall continue until amended by the legislative body of the city or
63town. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the exemption shall be in
64addition to any exemption allowable pursuant to this section; provided, however, that in no
65instance shall the taxable valuation of the property, after all applicable exemptions, be reduced
66below 10 per cent of its full and fair cash valuation, except through the applicability of clause
67Eighteenth. Acceptance of this clause by a city or town shall not increase the amount that the city
68or town otherwise would have been reimbursed by the commonwealth pursuant to the clause.
69The additional exemption contained within this clause shall not be implemented in any year in
70which the city or town has also accepted the section 5C1/2 of chapter 59.
71 SECTION 12. Section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
72amended by striking out, in line 1113, as so appearing, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place
73thereof the following figure:- 2,500. 5 of 30
74 SECTION 13. Said section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby further
75amended by striking out, in line 1130, as so appearing, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place
76thereof the following figure:- 2,500.
77 SECTION 14. Section 38GG of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
78hereby amended by striking out, in line 8, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place thereof the
79following figure:- 2,500.
80 SECTION 15. Said section 38GG of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby further
81amended by striking out, in line 24, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place thereof the
82following figure:- 2,500.
83 SECTION 16. Section 6 of chapter 64H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
84amended by striking out subsection (u) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
85 (u) Sale of a motor vehicle purchased by and for the use of a person who has suffered loss
86of, or permanent loss of use of, both legs or both arms or 1 leg and 1 arm or by and for the use of
87a veteran who has been determined to be permanently disabled by the medical advisory board
88established under section 8C of chapter 90 and has been issued a disabled veteran number plate
89or a purple heart recipient plate under section 2 of said chapter 90; provided, that this exemption
90shall apply to 1 motor vehicle only owned and registered for the personal, noncommercial use of
91such person. A person issued a purple heart recipient plate shall not have to forfeit their purple
92heart recipient plate for a disabled veteran number plate to receive the exemption from the tax in
93this paragraph. 6 of 30
94 SECTION 17. Section 4 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
95amended by striking out, in lines 32 and 39, each time it appears, the word “department” and
96inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- executive office.
97 SECTION 18. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking
98out, in lines 172 to 186, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “pleasure passenger vehicles
99owned by veterans who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration,
100has been determined to have a service-connected disability rating of 60 per cent or greater and by
101reason of service in the armed forces of the United States have suffered loss or permanent loss of
102use of one or both feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent
103impairment of vision of both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less
104in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a
105field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter
106of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than twenty degrees in the better eye, or
107any other disability or handicap of such veterans which may be determined by the medical
108advisory board as established by section eight C, and”.
109 SECTION 19. The seventh paragraph of said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so
110appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the third and fourth sentences.
111 SECTION 20. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking
112out, in lines 246 to 258, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “and the words “Disabled Veteran”
113for a pleasure passenger vehicle or a pick-up truck owned or leased by and used by a veteran
114who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration, by reason of service
115in the armed forces of the United States has suffered loss or permanent loss of use of one or both 7 of 30
116feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent impairment of vision of
117both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with
118corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which
119the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field
120subtends an angular distance no greater that 20 degrees in the better eye, or any other disability
121or handicap”.
122 SECTION 21. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
123the twelfth paragraph, as so appearing.
124 SECTION 22. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
125the fifteenth through seventeenth paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.
126 SECTION 23. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
127the nineteenth through twenty-second paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.
128 SECTION 24. Said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2I the
129following section:-
130 Section 2J. (a) The registrar shall design and maintain a series of distinct and individual
131license plates recognizing those who have served in the military and for those who deserve
132special recognition relating to or deriving from military service.
133 (b) Any veteran meeting the definition of a veteran in clause forty-third of section 7 of
134chapter 4 or section 1 of chapter 115, or who is eligible for the annuity provided under section
1356C of chapter 115, shall be eligible and entitled to a veteran plate which shall carry the 8 of 30
136denotation “VETERAN”, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of such status as determined
137by the registrar.
138 (c) The series of distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who have served
139in the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military
140service shall include the license plates described in the following paragraphs:
141 (1) Veterans ranked as at least 60 per cent disabled by the United States Department of
142Veterans Affairs, including those who have suffered the loss of a limb, permanent visual acuity
143loss of 20/200 in an eye, or are otherwise determined to be disabled or handicapped by the
144medical advisory board established in section 8C, shall be entitled to a distinctive disabled
145veteran plate.
146 (2) Veterans who have been captured and incarcerated by foreign forces in conflict or
147held as prisoners of war shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status.
148 (3) Veterans who are members of the Legion of Valor of the United States of America,
149Incorporated shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status.
150 (4) Veterans awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor shall be entitled to a distinctive
151plate recognizing that status, including, subject to availability, the use of the initials of the award
152recipient followed by CMH signifying their award.
153 (5) Veterans awarded the Order of the Purple Heart shall be entitled to a distinctive plate
154indicating that status which shall include the words “COMBAT WOUNDED.”
155 (6) Survivors of the attack upon Pearl Harbor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate
156reflecting that status and bearing the word “VETERAN” thereupon. 9 of 30
157 (7) Residents of the commonwealth serving in any branch of the national guard shall be
158entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.
159 (8) Residents of the commonwealth awarded the Medal of Liberty under section 67A of
160chapter 33 shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.
161 (9) The next of kin of a member of the armed forces, in possession of a Gold Star Lapel
162Button under the regulations of the United States Secretary of Defense, shall be entitled to a
163Gold Star Family distinctive plate. Said button shall not be an eligibility requirement for those
164who have presented other satisfactory evidence of their status, as determined by the registrar.
165 (d) A veteran who has served in the armed forces and is entitled to a veteran license plate
166shall also be entitled to the issuance of a decal or emblem denoting their branch of service.
167Residents of the commonwealth identifying as a woman veteran who served in any branch shall
168be entitled to a distinctive decal which the registry of motor vehicles shall design and issue.
169 (e) The following individuals shall be entitled to a distinctive plate, emblem or decal
170denoting their award status:
171 (1) Owners of private vehicles awarded 1 of the following decorations for valor or
172gallantry: the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Distinguish
173Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, or any other similar award designated by the
174secretary of veterans’ services.
175 (2) A resident of the commonwealth qualifying as a Gold Star parent, child, sibling,
176grandchild or spouse. A distinctive plate, under this paragraph, may not be used in conjunction
177with a motor vehicle that has promotional or advertising material thereupon. 10 of 30
178 (f) Veterans entitled to a distinctive plate shall be entitled to have a distinctive emblem or
179decal reflecting service in Operation Enduring Freedom or the receipt of the Iraqi Freedom
180Campaign Ribbon, an Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, a Persian Gulf Campaign Ribbon, the
181Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Inherent Resolve
182Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service
183Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, or the Prisoner of War Medal.
184 (g) Under any special recognition or status recognized in this section, a widowed person
185shall not be compelled to surrender their distinctive plate, emblem or decal unless they remarry,
186cancel or fail to renew registration. If the deceased person was entitled to recognition under any
187portion of this section but did not apply for special status under this section, a widowed person
188may nonetheless apply in the stead of their deceased spouse.
189 (h) Any special status under this section shall entitle the bearer to only 1 special plate,
190emblem or decal; provided, however, that such person may, at their option, have the distinctive
191plate, emblem or decal issued in a form suitable for use on a motorcycle rather than a passenger
192car.
193 (i) Any plate to which an individual is entitled under this section shall be issued without
194fee other than the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles and
195motorcycles. The registrar may provide individuals the option of paying an additional fee. Any
196funds related to the additional fee generated under this section shall be distributed to the state-
197operated veterans’ homes on an equal basis, to their special account, up to $500,000 for each
198home. Any excess fee over $500,000 for each state-operated veterans’ home shall be placed in
199the special trust fund subject to the control of the secretary of veterans’ services. 11 of 30
200 SECTION 25. Section 244 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, inserted by section 14 of
201chapter 154 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, as appearing in the
2022022 Official Edition, the word “commissioner” and inserting in place thereof the following
203word:- secretary.
204 SECTION 26. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by said section 14 of said
205chapter 154, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 28, as appearing in the 2022
206Official Edition, the word “commissioner”, the second time it appears, and inserting in place
207thereof the following word:- secretary.
208 SECTION 27. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by said section 14 of said
209chapter 154, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 35 and 38, as appearing in the
2102022 Official Edition, each time it appears, the word “commissioner” and inserting in place
211thereof the following word:- secretary.
212 SECTION 28. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by said section 14 of said
213chapter 154, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 43, as appearing in the 2022
214Official Edition, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
215executive office.
216 SECTION 29. Section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by section 34 of chapter 177 of
217the acts of 2023, is hereby repealed.
218 SECTION 30. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
219following section:- 12 of 30
220 Section 245. The department shall administer an initiative to increase public awareness of
221and education on the availability of the extreme risk protection order process established
222pursuant to sections 131R to 131Y, inclusive, of chapter 140, to remove a firearm from the
223control, ownership or possession of an individual who poses a risk of causing bodily injury to
224themself or others. The initiative shall focus on the heighted risk of suicide associated with the
225possession of a firearm and shall include information on: (i) eligibility to petition for an extreme
226risk protection order; (ii) the procedure to petition for an extreme risk protection order; (iii)
227options to voluntarily surrender a firearm to a law enforcement agency; and (iv) the availability
228of existing legal resources and support services for a potential petitioner.
229 SECTION 31. Section 1 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
230Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “'Dependent” and inserting
231in place thereof the following definition:-
232 “Dependent”, the spouse, widowed person, child or parent of a veteran, including any
233person who stood in the relationship of a parent to such veteran for the 5 years next preceding the
234commencement of the veteran’s wartime service; provided, that no child of a veteran who is
235older than 18 years of age shall be deemed a dependent, unless the child meets the criteria
236established for emancipation pursuant to section 28 of chapter 208 or section 9 of chapter 209C
237or unless the child is mentally or physically unable to support themselves after attaining the age
238of 23.
239 SECTION 32. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
240amended by striking out, in line 25, the word “his”, each time it appears, and inserting in place
241thereof, in each instance, the following word:- their. 13 of 30
242 SECTION 33. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
243amended by striking out, in line 26, the words “he applies” and inserting in place thereof the
244following words:- they apply.
245 SECTION 34. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
246amended by striking out the definition of “veteran” and inserting in place thereof the following
247definition:-
248 “Veteran”, any person who (a) is a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of
249chapter 4; or (b) served on active duty in the armed forces for at least 90 days and whose last
250discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; or (c) served on active duty,
251to include active duty solely for training purposes, in the armed forces, and was awarded a
252service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than
253dishonorable; or (d) served in the national guard or as a reservist in any branch of the armed
254forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was awarded a service-connected
255disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (e) is
256determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; provided, that
257in any case, the service of such person qualified under clause (a) through clause (e) was entered
258into or served in Massachusetts, or such person has resided in the commonwealth for 1 day,
259except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran’s
260dependents.
261 SECTION 35. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
262amended by striking out, in lines 54 to 55, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section
263seven of chapter four,”. 14 of 30
264 SECTION 36. Section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
265striking out, in lines 1 to 2, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of
266chapter four”.
267 SECTION 37. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
268amended by striking out, in lines 7, 20, 39, 45 and 98, each time it appears, the word “his” and
269inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- the.
270 SECTION 38. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
271amended by striking out, in lines 8, 12, 20, 66, 82, 103, 123, 131, 139 and 150, each time it
272appears, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-
273The secretary.
274 SECTION 39. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
275amended by striking out, in lines 12, 63, 71, 89, 98, 113, 118 and 119, each time it appears, the
276word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
277 SECTION 40. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
278amended by striking out, in lines 13, 14, 61, 76, 118, 125, 129, 134 and 142, each time it
279appears, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the
280secretary.
281 SECTION 41. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
282amended by striking out the sixth paragraph. 15 of 30
283 SECTION 42. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
284amended by striking out, in line 82, the words “him or by his” and inserting in place thereof the
285following words:- the secretary or the secretary’s.
286 SECTION 43. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
287amended by striking out, in lines 153 and 156, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting
288in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- a.
289 SECTION 44. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
290amended by striking out, in line 155, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
291following word:- chairperson.
292 SECTION 45. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
293amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-
294 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a medical assistance benefit in
295addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the medical assistance
296benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded resources before
297seeking aid under this paragraph. The medical assistance benefit shall include, but shall not be
298limited to, covering the cost of those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions, costs
299and other such treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary
300shall, by regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
301 The secretary shall provide, subject to the appropriation, a behavioral health assistance
302benefit in addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the behavioral
303health assistance benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded
304resources before seeking aid under this paragraph. The behavioral health assistance benefit shall 16 of 30
305include, but shall not be limited to, covering the cost of those necessary outpatient behavioral
306health assessments, evaluations, visits, prescriptions, costs and other such treatment as the
307secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation or otherwise,
308make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
309 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a dental assistance benefit in
310addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the dental assistance benefit
311shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded resources before seeking
312aid under this paragraph. The dental assistance benefit shall include, but shall not be limited to,
313covering the cost of those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions, costs and other
314such treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by
315regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
316 SECTION 46. Section 2B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
317striking out, in lines 7 and 8, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof,
318in each instance, the following word:- a.
319 SECTION 47. Section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
320striking out, in line 17, the word “his”.
321 SECTION 48. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
322amended by striking out, in line 18, the words “civil war”.
323 SECTION 49. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
324amended by striking out, in lines 18 to 19, the words “his wife or widow” and inserting in place
325thereof the following words:- a veteran’s spouse or widowed person. 17 of 30
326 SECTION 50. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
327amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
328words:- the secretary.
329 SECTION 51. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
330amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
331words:- the agent’s.
332 SECTION 52. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
333amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
334words:- the veteran.
335 SECTION 53. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
336amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
337words:- the veteran’s.
338 SECTION 54. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
339amended by striking out, in lines 25 and 27, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in
340place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the agent.
341 SECTION 55. Section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
342striking out, in lines 4, 5 and 8, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place
343thereof, in each instance, the following word:- the.
344 SECTION 56. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
345amended by striking out, in line 14, the word “widow” and inserting in place thereof the
346following words:- widowed person. 18 of 30
347 SECTION 57. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
348amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
349word:- their.
350 SECTION 58. Section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
351striking out, in lines 2 and 55, each time it appears, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof,
352in each instance, the following words:- the veteran.
353 SECTION 59. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
354amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “he has” and inserting in place thereof the
355following words:- they have.
356 SECTION 60. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
357amended by striking out, in lines 4, 16, 25, 26, 43, 45, 51, 59, 62, 63 and 66, each time it
358appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:-
359their.
360 SECTION 61. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
361amended by striking out, in lines 5 to 10, the words “unless he has actually resided within the
362commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of his application for such
363benefits, nor unless the veteran of whom he is a dependent has actually resided within the
364commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of such dependent’s
365application for such benefits” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- except upon
366like terms. 19 of 30
367 SECTION 62. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
368amended by striking out, in lines 22, 27 and 74, each time it appears, the word “him” and
369inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- them.
370 SECTION 63. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
371amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “himself” and inserting in place thereof the
372following word:- themselves.
373 SECTION 64. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
374amended by striking out in lines 39, 54, 102 and 103, each time it appears, the word “his” and
375inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.
376 SECTION 65. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
377amended by striking out, in line 42, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
378words:- the secretary’s.
379 SECTION 66. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
380amended by striking out, in line 57, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
381words:- the veteran.
382 SECTION 67. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
383amended by striking out, in line 59, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following
384word:- They.
385 SECTION 68. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
386amended by striking out, in line 61, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
387word:- they. 20 of 30
388 SECTION 69. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
389amended by striking out, in line 92, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
390words:- the veterans’ agent’s.
391 SECTION 70. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
392amended by striking out, in lines 95, 99 and 103, each time it appears, the word “mother” and
393inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent.
394 SECTION 71. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
395amended by striking out, in line 100, the word “her” and inserting in place thereof the following
396words:- the parent’s own.
397 SECTION 72. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
398amended by striking out, in line 106, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
399words:- the secretary.
400 SECTION 73. The seventh paragraph of said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so
401appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- An increase in income from a
402cost-of-living adjustment made to social security, supplemental security income or social
403security disability insurance shall not serve to render any recipient ineligible for benefits under
404this chapter in the year that the cost-of-living adjustment was issued.
405 SECTION 74. Section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
406striking out, in lines 2, 8, 11, 57, 60, and 63 to 64, each time they appear, the words “mother or
407father” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent. 21 of 30
408 SECTION 75. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
409amended by striking out, in lines 16 to 17, the words “mother’s or father’s” and inserting in place
410thereof the following word:- parent’s.
411 SECTION 76. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
412amended by striking out, in line 33, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
413word:- them.
414 SECTION 77. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
415amended by striking out, in line 40, the words “mother and father” and inserting in place thereof
416the following word:- parents.
417 SECTION 78. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
418amended by striking out, in line 41, the words “in his” and inserting in place thereof the
419following words:- within their.
420 SECTION 79. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
421amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
422words:- the secretary’s.
423 SECTION 80. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
424amended by striking out, in lines 47 to 48, the words “the petition in his own name” and inserting
425in place thereof the following words:- a petition.
426 SECTION 81. Section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
427striking out, in line 3, the word “him”. 22 of 30
428 SECTION 82. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
429amended by striking out, in line 12, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in place
430thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
431 SECTION 83. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
432amended by striking out, in lines 15 and 19, each time it appears, the word “he” and inserting in
433place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
434 SECTION 84. Section 6A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby repealed.
435 SECTION 85. Section 6B of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
436amended by striking out, in lines 19, 28 and 35, each time it appears, the figure “2,000” and
437inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- 2,250.
438 SECTION 86. Said section 6B of said chapter 115 is hereby further amended by striking
439out the figure “2,250”, inserted by section 85, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof,
440in each instance, the following figure:- 2,500.
441 SECTION 87. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
442amended by striking out, in lines 21 and 30, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in
443place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.
444 SECTION 88. Section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
445striking out, in line 4, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- The
446burial agent. 23 of 30
447 SECTION 89. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
448amended by striking out, in line 8, the words “his wife, or his widow” and inserting in place
449thereof the following words:- spouse, or widowed person.
450 SECTION 90. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
451amended by striking out, in line 10, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
452words:- the burial agent.
453 SECTION 91. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
454amended by striking out, in lines 12 and 14, each time it appears, the word “he” and inserting in
455place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the burial agent.
456 SECTION 92. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
457amended by striking out, in line 17, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
458word:- their.
459 SECTION 93. Section 8 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
460striking out, in line 23, the words “widow, or widower” and inserting in place thereof the
461following words:- widowed person.
462 SECTION 94. Section 9 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
463striking out, in line 3, the words “, as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter
464four,”.
465 SECTION 95. Said chapter 115is hereby amended by inserting after section 9 the
466following section:- 24 of 30
467 Section 9A. The executive office of veterans’ services shall have the authority to operate,
468maintain and expand the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery located in the city of
469Agawam and the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery located in the town of
470Winchendon, and may add new locations, subject to the availability of funds, to meet veterans’
471and dependents’ needs. This authority includes, but shall not be limited to, the maintenance and
472upkeep of the cemetery grounds, facilities and infrastructure, the burial and interment services in
473accordance with established federal protocols and regulations and the overall management and
474administration of the cemeteries. The executive office may adopt additional rules, regulations
475and policies as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure the proper functioning of the
476cemeteries under its control.
477 SECTION 96. Section 10 of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
478is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the
479following word:- their.
480 SECTION 97. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
481amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32, the words “duties of his office” and inserting in
482place thereof the following words:- office’s duties.
483 SECTION 98. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
484amended by striking out, in line 32, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
485word:- the.
486 SECTION 99. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
487amended by striking out, in line 37, the words “his duties as treasurer of the district” and
488inserting in place thereof the following words:- the district treasurer’s duties. 25 of 30
489 SECTION 100. Section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
490striking out, in lines 2 and 5, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof,
491in each instance, the following word:- their.
492 SECTION 101. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
493amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
494following word:- chairperson.
495 SECTION 102. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
496amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
497word:- the.
498 SECTION 103. Section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
499striking out, in line 4, the words “he, and his duly accredited agents,” and inserting in place
500thereof the following words:- they and their agents.
501 SECTION 104. Said section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
502amended by striking out, in line 11, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
503word:- a.
504 SECTION 105. Section 16 of said chapter 115, inserted by section 53 of chapter 126 of
505the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by inserting after the first sentence the following sentence:-
506The veterans equality review board shall ensure that veterans receive state-based veteran benefits
507if they receive: (i) an other than honorable discharge because of sex, race, color, religious creed,
508national origin, age, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, disability; or (ii) any U.S.
509Department of Veterans Affairs category eligible for upgrade, including, but not limited to,
510mental health conditions, military sexual trauma and traumatic brain injury. 26 of 30
511 SECTION 106. Section 16 of said chapter 115, inserted by section 18 of chapter 154 of
512the acts of 2022, is hereby repealed.
513 SECTION 107. Said chapter 115 is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
514 Section 18. (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of public health
515and the adjutant general of the Massachusetts national guard, shall contact all members of the
516Massachusetts national guard and all known veterans and members of the United States armed
517forces residing in the commonwealth who may be eligible to participate in the United States
518Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, including, but
519not limited, those who may have served in: (i) Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi
520Freedom or Operation New Dawn; (ii) Djibouti, Africa on or after September 11, 2001; (iii)
521Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001; (iv) Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert
522Storm; or (v) in the Southwest Asia theater of operations on or after August 2, 1990. Veterans or
523service members contacted shall be encouraged to join the United States Department of Veterans
524Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry and shall be provided with contact
525information for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open
526Burn Pit Registry and a copy of the informational pamphlet created by the commissioner of
527public health pursuant to subsection (b) of section 244 of chapter 111.
528 (b) The commissioner shall create a database of self-identifying service members and
529veterans who have been exposed to open burn pits or other airborne hazards, which shall include
530the name, address, electronic address, phone number, location and period of service and other
531information as deemed necessary. Such information shall be used only for the purposes of
532communicating information about exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by 27 of 30
533open burn pits or other airborne hazards to service members and veterans. The database,
534materials or other information shall be confidential and privileged, shall not be subject to chapter
53566, or clause Twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4 and shall not be subject to subpoena,
536discovery or introduction into evidence in any private civil action.
537 SECTION 108. Section 9 of chapter 115A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
538Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “home in the city of
539Chelsea” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes.
540 SECTION 109. Section 3 of chapter 115B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
541hereby amended by striking out, in line 16, the words “home in the city of Chelsea; and the chair
542of the board of trustees of the veterans’ home in the city of Holyoke” and inserting in place
543thereof the following words:- veterans’ homes.
544 SECTION 110. Section 51B of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
545hereby amended by striking out, in lines 17 and 18, the words “and (vi) all other pertinent facts
546or matters” and inserting in place thereof the following:- (vi) the military status of the parents,
547guardian or caregiver of the child and, if applicable, of the spouse or intimate partner of the
548parent, guardian or caregiver of the child; and (vii) all other pertinent facts or matters.
549 SECTION 111. Said section 51B of said chapter 119 is hereby further amended by
550adding the following subsection:-
551 (s) The department shall provide notice to appropriate military authorities about an
552allegation of an individual subject to a 51A report with a military status in accordance with
553section 69B. 28 of 30
554 SECTION 112. Said chapter 119 is hereby further amended by inserting after section
55569A the following section:-
556 Section 69B. (a) For the purposes of this section, “family advocacy program” shall mean
557the program established by the United States Department of Defense for the prevention of and
558response to child abuse and neglect and domestic abuse and intimate partner violence in military
559families.
560 (b) The commissioner shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the family
561advocacy program at military installations located in the commonwealth with respect to 51A
562reports and data collected for the investigation pursuant to subsection (b) of section 51B and
563reported pursuant to military status pursuant to subsection (s) of section 51B. The memorandum
564of understanding shall establish procedures and protocols for matters, including, but not limited
565to: (i) identifying an individual subject to a 51A report as military personnel; (ii) identifying
566appropriate circumstances for reporting to the family advocacy program without reducing the
567likelihood of reporting or creating undue risk to the health or wellbeing of the spouse, intimate
568partner or child of the military personnel; (iii) reporting to the family advocacy program when an
569investigation implicating military personnel has been initiated; and (iv) maintaining
570confidentiality requirements under state and federal law.
571 SECTION 113. Subsection (c) of section 73B of chapter 272 of the General Laws, as
572appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 18, the second
573time it appears, and in line 23, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof, in each
574instance, the following words:- executive office. 29 of 30
575 SECTION 114. Section 11 of chapter 276A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
576hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 13 the words “the department” and inserting in
577place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the executive office.
578 SECTION 115. Section 3 of chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended by section 2 of
579chapter 468 of the acts of 2002, is hereby further amended by striking out the second and third
580paragraphs.
581 SECTION 116. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any member
582of a retirement system who is a member in service and a veteran who failed to make the purchase
583authorized in paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws
584pursuant to chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended, shall be given a 1-time opportunity to
585apply to the retirement system to make said purchase within 1 year from the effective date of this
586act. Each retirement system shall provide written notice to all members in service of their
587potential eligibility for this purchase within 90 days of the effective date of this act.
588 SECTION 117. (a) The secretary of veterans’ services, in coordination with the executive
589office of health and human services, shall convene a working group to review alternative
590therapies for mental health treatments for veterans. The working group shall: (i) study whether
591psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed
592mental health disorders; (ii) evaluate literature, research trials and expert opinions to determine if
593psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes regarding mental health treatment for
594veterans; and (iii) issue recommendations regarding the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat
595veterans with mental health disorders in Massachusetts. As used in this section, “psychedelic 30 of 30
596therapy” shall mean the use of psilocybin, ketamine, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,
597under the direction of a health care provider, to treat mental health disorders.
598 (b) The secretary shall appoint the following members of the working group: 2 members
599who shall represent medical centers or hospitals in the commonwealth that serve veterans; 2
600members who shall represent health insurance companies; 2 members who shall represent
601veterans’ services organizations; 1 member who shall represent an organization currently
602studying this subject matter; and such other members as the secretary deems necessary. The
603members of the working group shall have experience in behavioral health or veterans services.
604The secretary may designate a chair of the working group.
605 (c) Not later than January 1, 2025, the working group shall file a report of its findings and
606any recommendations with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint
607committee on veterans and federal affairs, and the joint committee on mental health, substance
608use and recovery.
609 SECTION 118. Sections 12 to 15, inclusive, shall take effect on taxable years beginning
610on January 1, 2024.
611 SECTION 119. Sections 16 and 18 through 24, inclusive, shall take effect 6 months after
612the effective date of this act.
613 SECTION 120. Sections 45 and 85 shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
614 SECTION 121. Section 86 shall take effect on July 1, 2025.