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FILED ON: 5/22/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4671
House bill No. 4661, as changed by the committee on Bills in the Third Reading, and as
amended and passed to be engrossed by the House. May 22, 2024.
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
forthwith 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 6A of chapter 2 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2official edition, is hereby amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-
3 (h) In the event of the death of any military service member performing military duty
4under official orders, who is killed while in an active duty status, including, but not limited to, a
5member of the United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, United
6States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States National Guard, United States Army
7Reserves and United States Space Force, and residing in the commonwealth, from the day of
8death until sunset of the day of interment, the flag of the commonwealth shall be flown at half-
9staff in accordance with such orders or instructions as may be issued by, or at the direction of,
10the governor. 2 of 39
11 (i) In the event the remains of a POW or a MIA are repatriated within the commonwealth,
12from the day of arrival within the commonwealth through the day of interment the flag of the
13commonwealth shall be flown at half-staff.
14 (j) Annually, on national POW/MIA recognition day, observed on the third Friday of
15September, from sunrise to sunset the flag of the commonwealth shall be flown at half-staff.
16 SECTION 1A. Section 34 of said chapter 2, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
17striking out, in line 2, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
18executive office. SECTION 2. Chapter 6 is hereby amended by inserting after section
1915ZZZZZZ the following section:-
20 Section 15AAAAAAA. (a) The governor shall annually issue a proclamation on
21Memorial Day in recognition of the sacrifices of Gold Star families in the commonwealth and
22the following landmarks and bridges shall be illuminated in gold on Memorial Day to
23commemorate and recognize the lives of those lost in military service, including, but not limited
24to:
25 (1) the Gold Star Families Bridge in the city of Lynn;
26 (2) the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge in the cities of Boston and
27Cambridge;
28 (3) the Longfellow Bridge in the cities of Boston and Cambridge;
29 (4) the Fore River Bridge in the city of Quincy and the town of Weymouth; and
30 (5) the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge in the city of Worcester and the town of
31Shrewsbury. 3 of 39
32 (b) The governor, the department of transportation, the executive office of veterans’
33services and the Military Friends Foundation shall establish policies and procedures necessary to
34implement this section.
35 SECTION 3. Subsection (d) of section 16DD of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as
36appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 29, the second
37time it appears, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
38executive office.
39 SECTION 4. Section 105 of said chapter 6A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
40striking out, in line 1, the words “a department” and inserting in place thereof the following
41words:- an executive office.
42 SECTION 5. Section 4G of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
43amended by striking out, in lines 7 to 8, the words “the department of veterans’ services,”.
44 SECTION 6. Section 61 of said chapter 7, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
45out, in lines 124 and 125, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following
46words:- executive office.
47 SECTION 7. Section 17 of chapter 11 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
48amended by striking out, in line 21, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the
49following words:- executive office.
50 SECTION 7A. Chapter 23K of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
51section 20 the following section:- 4 of 39
52 Section 20A. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context
53clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
54 “Limited slot machine establishment”, the premises owned or leased by a veterans’
55organization for use by its members in good standing.
56 “Limited slot machine license”, a gaming license issued by the commission that permits a
57veterans’ organization to operate a gaming establishment with no table games and not more than
585 slot machines at a limited slot machine establishment.
59 “Limited slot machine licensee”, a veterans’ organization that holds a limited slot
60machine license for its limited slot machine establishment.
61 “Local licensing authority”, the local licensing authority in the city or town in which the
62limited slot machine establishment is located.
63 “Veterans’ organization”, any veterans’ organization that is: (i) incorporated by the
64Congress of the United States; and (ii) included in section 4E of chapter 9.
65 (b)(1) The commission may issue a limited slot machine license to veterans’
66organizations in the commonwealth.
67 (2) A limited slot machine license shall only be issued to a veterans’ organization that: (i)
68has been organized and actively functioning as a veterans’ organization for not less than 5 years
69prior to being issued a license; (ii) has received the approval of the local licensing authority; and
70(iii) has been deemed suitable and qualified pursuant to regulations adopted by the commission
71pursuant to subsection (l). 5 of 39
72 (3) No limited slot machine license issued to a veterans’ organization pursuant to this
73section shall be transferred or assigned.
74 (c) A limited slot machine license issued by the commission pursuant to this section may
75be suspended or revoked at the discretion of the commission or upon written request to the
76commission by the local licensing authority. The suspension or revocation of a license issued
77pursuant to this section may be appealed by the limited slot machine licensee to the full
78commission, and the commission shall hear the appeal on the record. The decision rendered by
79the commission after the hearing shall be final and the licensee shall not be entitled to further
80review; provided, however, that in the case of a license revocation, the licensee shall be entitled
81to reapply for a license not less than 5 years from the date in which the final decision of the
82commission was issued.
83 (d) A limited slot machine licensee shall limit the promotion, operation of and access to
84slot machines to members in good standing of the veterans’ organization; provided, that no
85member of the veterans’ organization holding a limited slot machine license shall receive
86remuneration in any form for time or effort devoted to the promotion or operation of the slot
87machines. No member of the general public shall be permitted access to any slot machine in a
88limited slot machine establishment.
89 (e) The profits of any slot machines shall be the property of the limited slot machine
90licensee, and shall be used for charitable, fraternal or civic purposes, including, but not limited
91to, veterans’ benefits.
92 (f) A limited slot machine license issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for a
93period of 5 years. The commission shall establish procedures for application and renewal and 6 of 39
94may establish a fee for application or renewal not to exceed $500. Application and renewal fees
95shall be deposited into the Gaming Revenue Fund established in section 59.
96 (g) Each licensee shall keep accurate records and books showing: (i) the total amount of
97all monies deposited by members in good standing of the veterans’ organization who played the
98slot machines located in the limited slot machine establishment; (ii) the expenses incurred; and
99(iii) the name and address of each person receiving greater than $100 in winnings in a 24-hour
100period. A separate checking account shall be kept of receipts and expenditures. Money for
101expenses shall be withdrawn only by checks having preprinted consecutive numbers and made
102payable to a specific person or corporation. No check shall be made payable to cash. All monies
103expended for said charitable, fraternal or civic purposes shall be duly and accurately recorded as
104to specific amounts expended and the purposes for which said amounts were expended. Proceeds
105from the operation of the slot machines shall be kept in a separate bank account and the licensee
106shall file an annual report on or before December 31 of each year of the charitable, fraternal and
107civic disbursements made during the preceding year with the commission and the local licensing
108authority in such form as the commission may prescribe. Such annual report shall be a public
109record. The commission and the local licensing authority, or their duly authorized agents or
110representatives, shall at all times have access to the limited slot machine establishment, as well
111as the records and books of any licensee for the purpose of examining and checking the same.
112 (h) Each licensee shall file a return with the commission, on a form prepared by the
113commission, and shall pay therewith a tax of 5 per cent of the gross profits derived from the slot
114machines located in the limited slot machine establishment, which shall be deposited into the
115Gaming Revenue Fund established in section 59. 7 of 39
116 (i) No person under 21 years of age shall be permitted in the portion of any building or
117premises of the licensee during such time as a slot machine is being played.
118 (j) A limited slot machine establishment shall keep conspicuously posted on their
119premises a notice containing the following statement: “If you or someone you know has a
120gambling problem and wants help, call the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health on the
121Safer Gaming Education Line at 1-800-426-1234 or the Massachusetts Department of Public
122Health helpline at 1-800-327-5050.”
123 (k) Limited slot machine licensees shall only acquire slot machines from a person
124licensed as a gaming vendor under section 31.
125 (l) The commission shall, consistent with the public objectives of this chapter established
126in section 1, promulgate regulations for the implementation, administration and enforcement of
127this section including, without limitation, regulations that prescribe: (i) the method and form of
128application which an applicant for licensure shall follow and complete before consideration by
129the commission; (ii) the information to be furnished by an applicant for a limited slot machine
130license or for the renewal of a limited slot machine license; (iii) suitability standards for
131applicants for licensure pursuant to this section; (iv) the criteria for evaluation of the application
132for a limited slot machine license and qualifications for licensure pursuant to this section; (v) the
133information to be furnished by a veterans’ organization relating to the members of the veterans’
134organization tasked with managing the slot machines; (vi) criteria for eligibility for licensure
135under this section; (vii) conditions on the operation and control of a limited slot machine
136establishment; and (viii) grounds and procedures for the revocation or suspension of a limited
137slot machine license. 8 of 39
138 SECTION 8. Section 49 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
139amended by striking out, in lines 14 and 15, the words “home in the city of Chelsea” and
140inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes.
141 SECTION 9. Paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32, as so appearing,
142is hereby amended by striking out the fourth subparagraph and inserting in place thereof the
143following subparagraph:-
144 Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law, rule or
145regulation to the contrary, a member in service of a retirement system as defined in section 1
146shall be provided written notice by the retirement board upon entry into service that if they
147qualify as a veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States they shall be entitled to
148credit for active service in the armed services of the United States; provided, however, that such
149active service shall not be credited until such member, prior to or within 1 year of vesting
150pursuant to this chapter, has paid into the annuity savings fund of such system, in 1 sum or in
151installments, upon such terms and conditions as the board may prescribe, makeup payments, for
152each year of creditable service sought, of an amount equal to the 10 per cent of the regular
153annual compensation of the member when said member entered the retirement system; provided
154further, that such creditable service shall not be construed to include service for more than 4
155years; and provided further, that such creditable service shall not be allowed for any period of
156active service for which said veteran has received credit pursuant to this paragraph . This
157paragraph shall apply to national guard and active reserve personnel, both former and present.
158Creditable service time, both enlisted and commissioned, may be applied toward retirement on a
159ratio of 5 years national guard service or 5 years active reserve service substitutable for each year
160of active service. National guard and active reserve personnel shall not be precluded from 9 of 39
161making said purchase should they qualify as a veteran after vesting or if they reach the maximum
162of 4 years of eligible service purchase subsequent to vesting and qualifying as a veteran;
163provided, that they enter into a purchase agreement within 5 years of the last occurring event.
164 SECTION 10. Section 67A of chapter 33 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
165amended by adding the following paragraph:-
166 Next of kin of a fallen service member may apply to the adjutant general for a medal of
167liberty, in a form prescribed by the adjutant general. There shall be within the application for the
168medal of liberty a notification that informs applicants of their eligibility to receive the medal of
169liberty license plate, pursuant to section 2 of chapter 90, free of charge upon approval of the
170application. The notification shall read as follows: IF YOU RECEIVE THE MEDAL OF
171LIBERTY, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE MEDAL OF LIBERTY LICENSE
172PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. APPLY AT https://www.mass.gov/doc/application-for-medal-of-
173liberty-plates.SECTION 11. Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
174hereby amended by inserting after clause Twenty-second H the following 2 clauses:-
175 Twenty-second I. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the
176commissioner to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, an abatement granted
177pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C,
178Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be increased annually by an amount equal to the
179increase in the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index for such year. The
180department of revenue shall annually inform each city or town that accepts this clause of the
181amount of this increase. 10 of 39
182 Twenty-second J. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the
183commissioner to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, a taxpayer who
184otherwise qualifies for an exemption pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A,
185Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be granted an
186additional exemption that shall be uniform for all herein named exemptions and the amount of
187which shall not exceed 100 per cent of the exemption for which the taxpayer qualifies, as may be
188determined by the legislative body of the city or town, subject to its charter, not later than the
189beginning of the fiscal year to which the additional exemption shall commence. Once accepted,
190the amount of the exemption shall continue until amended by the legislative body of the city or
191town. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the exemption shall be in
192addition to any exemption allowable pursuant to this section; provided, however, that in no
193instance shall the taxable valuation of the property, after all applicable exemptions, be reduced
194below 10 per cent of its full and fair cash valuation, except through the applicability of clause
195Eighteenth. Acceptance of this clause by a city or town shall not increase the amount that the city
196or town otherwise would have been reimbursed by the commonwealth pursuant to the clause.
197The additional exemption contained within this clause shall not be implemented in any year in
198which the city or town has also accepted the section 5C1/2 of chapter 59.
199 SECTION 11A. Section 1 of chapter 60A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
200amended by striking out, in lines 101 to 103, inclusive, the words “medical advisory board
201established under section 8C of chapter 90 to be permanently disabled”, and inserting in place
202thereof the following words:- United States Department of Veterans Affairs to: (i) have a
203combined service-connected disability rating of 100 per cent; or (ii) be individually
204unemployable due to their service-connected disability. 11 of 39
205 SECTION 12. Section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking
206out, in line 1113, as so appearing, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place thereof the following
207figure:- 2,500.
208 SECTION 13. Said section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby further
209amended by striking out, in line 1130, as so appearing, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place
210thereof the following figure:- 2,500.
211 SECTION 14. Section 38GG of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
212hereby amended by striking out, in line 8, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place thereof the
213following figure:- 2,500.
214 SECTION 15. Said section 38GG of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby further
215amended by striking out, in line 24, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place thereof the
216following figure:- 2,500.
217 SECTION 16. Section 6 of chapter 64H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
218amended by striking out subsection (u) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
219 (u) Sale of a motor vehicle purchased by and for the use of a person who has suffered loss
220of, or permanent loss of use of, both legs or both arms or 1 leg and 1 arm or by and for the use of
221a veteran who has been determined to be permanently disabled by the medical advisory board
222established under section 8C of chapter 90 and has been issued a disabled veteran number plate
223or a purple heart recipient plate under section 2 of said chapter 90; provided, that this exemption
224shall apply to 1 motor vehicle only owned and registered for the personal, noncommercial use of
225such person. A person issued a purple heart recipient plate shall not have to forfeit their purple 12 of 39
226heart recipient plate for a disabled veteran number plate to receive the exemption from the tax in
227this paragraph.
228 SECTION 17. Section 4 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
229amended by striking out, in lines 32 and 39, each time it appears, the word “department” and
230inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- executive office.
231 SECTION 18. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking
232out, in lines 172 to 186, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “pleasure passenger vehicles
233owned by veterans who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration,
234has been determined to have a service-connected disability rating of 60 per cent or greater and by
235reason of service in the armed forces of the United States have suffered loss or permanent loss of
236use of one or both feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent
237impairment of vision of both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less
238in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a
239field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter
240of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than twenty degrees in the better eye, or
241any other disability or handicap of such veterans which may be determined by the medical
242advisory board as established by section eight C, and”.
243 SECTION 19. The seventh paragraph of said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so
244appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the third and fourth sentences.
245 SECTION 20. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking
246out, in lines 246 to 258, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “and the words “Disabled Veteran”
247for a pleasure passenger vehicle or a pick-up truck owned or leased by and used by a veteran 13 of 39
248who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration, by reason of service
249in the armed forces of the United States has suffered loss or permanent loss of use of one or both
250feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent impairment of vision of
251both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with
252corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which
253the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field
254subtends an angular distance no greater that 20 degrees in the better eye, or any other disability
255or handicap”.
256 SECTION 21. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
257the twelfth paragraph, as so appearing.
258 SECTION 22. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
259the fifteenth through seventeenth paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.
260 SECTION 23. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
261the nineteenth through twenty-second paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.
262 SECTION 23A. The twenty-third paragraph of said section 2 of chapter 90, as so
263appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- The registrar, in consultation
264with the adjutant general of the Massachusetts national guard, shall notify all past recipients of
265the medal of liberty, established pursuant to said section 67A of said chapter 33, of their
266eligibility for the medal of liberty license plate through a letter, which shall include the
267application for the medal of liberty license plate.
268 SECTION 24. Said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2I the
269following section:- 14 of 39
270 Section 2J. (a) The registrar shall design and maintain a series of distinct and individual
271license plates recognizing those who have served in the military and for those who deserve
272special recognition relating to or deriving from military service.
273 (b) Any veteran meeting the definition of a veteran in clause forty-third of section 7 of
274chapter 4 or section 1 of chapter 115, or who is eligible for the annuity provided under section
2756C of chapter 115, shall be eligible and entitled to a veteran plate which shall carry the
276denotation “VETERAN”, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of such status as determined
277by the registrar.
278 (c) The series of distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who have served
279in the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military
280service shall include the license plates described in the following paragraphs:
281 (1) Veterans ranked as at least 60 per cent disabled by the United States Department of
282Veterans Affairs, including those who have suffered the loss of a limb, permanent visual acuity
283loss of 20/200 in an eye, or are otherwise determined to be disabled or handicapped by the
284medical advisory board established in section 8C, shall be entitled to a distinctive disabled
285veteran plate.
286 (2) Veterans who have been captured and incarcerated by foreign forces in conflict or
287held as prisoners of war shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status.
288 (3) Veterans who are members of the Legion of Valor of the United States of America,
289Incorporated shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status. 15 of 39
290 (4) Veterans awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor shall be entitled to a distinctive
291plate recognizing that status, including, subject to availability, the use of the initials of the award
292recipient followed by CMH signifying their award.
293 (5) Veterans awarded the Order of the Purple Heart shall be entitled to a distinctive plate
294indicating that status which shall include the words “COMBAT WOUNDED.”
295 (6) Survivors of the attack upon Pearl Harbor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate
296reflecting that status and bearing the word “VETERAN” thereupon.
297 (7) Residents of the commonwealth serving in any branch of the national guard shall be
298entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.
299 (8) Residents of the commonwealth awarded the Medal of Liberty under section 67A of
300chapter 33 shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status.
301 (9) The next of kin of a member of the armed forces, in possession of a Gold Star Lapel
302Button under the regulations of the United States Secretary of Defense, shall be entitled to a
303Gold Star Family distinctive plate. Said button shall not be an eligibility requirement for those
304who have presented other satisfactory evidence of their status, as determined by the registrar.
305 (d) A veteran who has served in the armed forces and is entitled to a veteran license plate
306shall also be entitled to the issuance of a decal or emblem denoting their branch of service.
307Residents of the commonwealth identifying as a woman veteran who served in any branch shall
308be entitled to a distinctive decal which the registry of motor vehicles shall design and issue.
309 (e) The following individuals shall be entitled to a distinctive plate, emblem or decal
310denoting their award status: 16 of 39
311 (1) Owners of private vehicles awarded 1 of the following decorations for valor or
312gallantry: the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Distinguish
313Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, or any other similar award designated by the
314secretary of veterans’ services.
315 (2) A resident of the commonwealth qualifying as a Gold Star parent, child, sibling,
316grandchild or spouse. A distinctive plate, under this paragraph, may not be used in conjunction
317with a motor vehicle that has promotional or advertising material thereupon.
318 (f) Veterans entitled to a distinctive plate shall be entitled to have a distinctive emblem or
319decal reflecting service in Operation Enduring Freedom or the receipt of the Iraqi Freedom
320Campaign Ribbon, an Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, a Persian Gulf Campaign Ribbon, the
321Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Inherent Resolve
322Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service
323Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, or the Prisoner of War Medal.
324 (g) Under any special recognition or status recognized in this section, a widowed person
325shall not be compelled to surrender their distinctive plate, emblem or decal unless they remarry,
326cancel or fail to renew registration. If the deceased person was entitled to recognition under any
327portion of this section but did not apply for special status under this section, a widowed person
328may nonetheless apply in the stead of their deceased spouse.
329 (h) Any special status under this section shall entitle the bearer to only 1 special plate,
330emblem or decal; provided, however, that such person may, at their option, have the distinctive
331plate, emblem or decal issued in a form suitable for use on a motorcycle rather than a passenger
332car. 17 of 39
333 (i) Any plate to which an individual is entitled under this section shall be issued without
334fee other than the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles and
335motorcycles. The registrar may provide individuals the option of paying an additional fee. Any
336funds related to the additional fee generated under this section shall be distributed to the state-
337operated veterans’ homes on an equal basis, to their special account, up to $500,000 for each
338home. Any excess fee over $500,000 for each state-operated veterans’ home shall be placed in
339the special trust fund subject to the control of the secretary of veterans’ services.
340 SECTION 24A. Section 33 of said chapter 90, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
341is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (29) and inserting in place thereof the following
342paragraph:-
343 (29) No fee shall be exacted for the registration of any vehicle owned by a veteran who
344has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to: (i) have a
345combined service-connected disability rating of 100 per cent; or (ii) be individually
346unemployable due to their service-connected disability, and no fee shall be exacted for the
347issuance to such disabled veteran of a license to operate such vehicle.
348 SECTION 25. Section 244 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, inserted by section 14 of
349chapter 154 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, as appearing in the
3502022 Official Edition, the word “commissioner” and inserting in place thereof the following
351word:- secretary.
352 SECTION 26. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by said section 14 of said
353chapter 154, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 28, as appearing in the 2022 18 of 39
354Official Edition, the word “commissioner”, the second time it appears, and inserting in place
355thereof the following word:- secretary.
356 SECTION 27. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by said section 14 of said
357chapter 154, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 35 and 38, as appearing in the
3582022 Official Edition, each time it appears, the word “commissioner” and inserting in place
359thereof the following word:- secretary.
360 SECTION 28. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by said section 14 of said
361chapter 154, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 43, as appearing in the 2022
362Official Edition, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
363executive office.
364 SECTION 29. Section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by section 34 of chapter 177 of
365the acts of 2023, is hereby repealed.
366 SECTION 30. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
367following section:-
368 Section 245. The department shall administer an initiative to increase public awareness of
369and education on the availability of the extreme risk protection order process established
370pursuant to sections 131R to 131Y, inclusive, of chapter 140, to remove a firearm from the
371control, ownership or possession of an individual who poses a risk of causing bodily injury to
372themself or others. The initiative shall focus on the heighted risk of suicide associated with the
373possession of a firearm and shall include information on: (i) eligibility to petition for an extreme
374risk protection order; (ii) the procedure to petition for an extreme risk protection order; (iii) 19 of 39
375options to voluntarily surrender a firearm to a law enforcement agency; and (iv) the availability
376of existing legal resources and support services for a potential petitioner.
377 SECTION 30A. Subsection (b) of section 3 of chapter 111C of the General Laws, as
378appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out clause (26) and
379inserting in place thereof the following 2 clauses:-
380 (26) establish standards for determining the extent to which the education and training
381requirements of veterans and military medics of the United States armed forces are substantially
382equivalent to the course and training requirements of emergency medical technicians in the
383commonwealth and promulgate regulations for the waiver of any equivalent course or training
384requirement for certification completed by veterans and military medics of the United States
385armed forces seeking certification as an emergency medical technician in the commonwealth;
386and
387 (27) take any other action consistent with its role as state lead agency for EMS.
388 SECTION 30B. Said chapter 111C is hereby further amended by inserting after section
3899A the following section:-
390 Section 9B. (a) The department may grant a waiver to veterans or military medics of the
391United States armed forces applying to be an emergency medical technician consistent with
392standards established pursuant to clause (26) of subsection (b) of section 3 if the completed
393courses or training required by the United States armed forces are substantially equivalent to
394training consistent with this chapter for emergency medical technicians. 20 of 39
395 (b) The applicant for a waiver pursuant to subsection (a) shall submit sufficient proof of
396completion of the substantially equivalent courses and training to the department.
397 (c) No veteran or military medic applying to be an emergency medical technician who
398has completed substantially equivalent emergency training with the United States armed forces,
399as determined by the department, shall be required to complete the same training for EMT
400certification or licensing in the commonwealth.
401 (d) The department shall issue a verification of emergency medical technician education
402and training equivalency if the department determines the completed courses or training required
403by the United States armed forces are substantially equivalent to training consistent with this
404chapter for emergency medical technicians.
405 SECTION 31. Section 1 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
406Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “'Dependent” and inserting
407in place thereof the following definition:-
408 “Dependent”, the spouse, widowed person, child or parent of a veteran, including any
409person who stood in the relationship of a parent to such veteran for the 5 years next preceding the
410commencement of the veteran’s wartime service; provided, that no child of a veteran who is
411older than 18 years of age shall be deemed a dependent, unless the child meets the criteria
412established for emancipation pursuant to section 28 of chapter 208 or section 9 of chapter 209C
413or unless the child is mentally or physically unable to support themselves after attaining the age
414of 23. 21 of 39
415 SECTION 32. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
416amended by striking out, in line 25, the word “his”, each time it appears, and inserting in place
417thereof, in each instance, the following word:- their.
418 SECTION 33. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
419amended by striking out, in line 26, the words “he applies” and inserting in place thereof the
420following words:- they apply.
421 SECTION 34. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
422amended by striking out the definition of “veteran” and inserting in place thereof the following
423definition:-
424 “Veteran”, any person who (a) is a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of
425chapter 4; or (b) served on active duty in the armed forces for at least 90 days and whose last
426discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; or (c) served on active duty,
427to include active duty solely for training purposes, in the armed forces, and was awarded a
428service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than
429dishonorable; or (d) served in the national guard or as a reservist in any branch of the armed
430forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was awarded a service-connected
431disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (e) is
432determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; provided, that
433in any case, the service of such person qualified under clause (a) through clause (e) was entered
434into or served in Massachusetts, or such person has resided in the commonwealth for 1 day,
435except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran’s
436dependents. 22 of 39
437 SECTION 35. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
438amended by striking out, in lines 54 to 55, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section
439seven of chapter four,”.
440 SECTION 36. Section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
441striking out, in lines 1 to 2, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of
442chapter four”.
443 SECTION 37. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
444amended by striking out, in lines 7, 20, 39, 45 and 98, each time it appears, the word “his” and
445inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- the.
446 SECTION 38. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
447amended by striking out, in lines 8, 12, 20, 66, 82, 103, 123, 131, 139 and 150, each time it
448appears, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-
449The secretary.
450 SECTION 39. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
451amended by striking out, in lines 12, 63, 71, 89, 98, 113, 118 and 119, each time it appears, the
452word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
453 SECTION 40. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
454amended by striking out, in lines 13, 14, 61, 76, 118, 125, 129, 134 and 142, each time it
455appears, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the
456secretary. 23 of 39
457 SECTION 41. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
458amended by striking out the sixth paragraph.
459 SECTION 42. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
460amended by striking out, in line 82, the words “him or by his” and inserting in place thereof the
461following words:- the secretary or the secretary’s.
462 SECTION 43. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
463amended by striking out, in lines 153 and 156, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting
464in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- a.
465 SECTION 44. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
466amended by striking out, in line 155, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
467following word:- chairperson.
468 SECTION 45. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
469amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-
470 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a medical assistance benefit in
471addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the medical assistance
472benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded resources before
473seeking aid under this paragraph. The medical assistance benefit shall include, but shall not be
474limited to, covering the cost of those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions, costs
475and other such treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary
476shall, by regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical. 24 of 39
477 The secretary shall provide, subject to the appropriation, a behavioral health assistance
478benefit in addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the behavioral
479health assistance benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded
480resources before seeking aid under this paragraph. The behavioral health assistance benefit shall
481include, but shall not be limited to, covering the cost of those necessary outpatient behavioral
482health assessments, evaluations, visits, prescriptions, costs and other such treatment as the
483secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation or otherwise,
484make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
485 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a dental assistance benefit in
486addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the dental assistance benefit
487shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally funded resources before seeking
488aid under this paragraph. The dental assistance benefit shall include, but shall not be limited to,
489covering the cost of those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions, costs and other
490such treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by
491regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
492 SECTION 46. Section 2B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
493striking out, in lines 7 and 8, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof,
494in each instance, the following word:- a.
495 SECTION 46A. Said chapter 115 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2D
496the following section:-
497 Section 2E. (a) The secretary, in consultation with the secretary of labor and workforce
498development, shall create and distribute a veterans’ benefits and services notice. 25 of 39
499 (b) The veterans’ benefits and services notice shall include information regarding the
500services and resources available to veterans, including, but not limited to: (i) contact and website
501information for the executive office of veterans’ services and the United States Department of
502Veterans Affairs; (ii) substance abuse and mental health treatment resources; (iii) educational,
503workforce and training resources; (iv) tax benefits resources; (v) information about obtaining a
504veteran indicator on a state driver’s license or identification card; (vi) information about
505eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits under state and federal law; (vii) legal services
506resources; and (viii) contact information for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
507Veterans Crisis Line.
508 (c) Every employer in the commonwealth with more than 50 full-time employees shall
509post the notice created pursuant to subsection (a) in a conspicuous location in the workplace
510accessible to employees and shall distribute the notice to each employee at the start of
511employment and on an annual basis.
512 SECTION 47. Section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
513striking out, in line 17, the word “his”.
514 SECTION 48. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
515amended by striking out, in line 18, the words “civil war”.
516 SECTION 49. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
517amended by striking out, in lines 18 to 19, the words “his wife or widow” and inserting in place
518thereof the following words:- a veteran’s spouse or widowed person. 26 of 39
519 SECTION 50. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
520amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
521words:- the secretary.
522 SECTION 51. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
523amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
524words:- the agent’s.
525 SECTION 52. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
526amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
527words:- the veteran.
528 SECTION 53. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
529amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
530words:- the veteran’s.
531 SECTION 54. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
532amended by striking out, in lines 25 and 27, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in
533place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the agent.
534 SECTION 55. Section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
535striking out, in lines 4, 5 and 8, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place
536thereof, in each instance, the following word:- the.
537 SECTION 56. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
538amended by striking out, in line 14, the word “widow” and inserting in place thereof the
539following words:- widowed person. 27 of 39
540 SECTION 57. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
541amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
542word:- their.
543 SECTION 58. Section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
544striking out, in lines 2 and 55, each time it appears, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof,
545in each instance, the following words:- the veteran.
546 SECTION 59. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
547amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “he has” and inserting in place thereof the
548following words:- they have.
549 SECTION 60. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
550amended by striking out, in lines 4, 16, 25, 26, 43, 45, 51, 59, 62, 63 and 66, each time it
551appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:-
552their.
553 SECTION 61. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
554amended by striking out, in lines 5 to 10, the words “unless he has actually resided within the
555commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of his application for such
556benefits, nor unless the veteran of whom he is a dependent has actually resided within the
557commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of such dependent’s
558application for such benefits” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- except upon
559like terms. 28 of 39
560 SECTION 62. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
561amended by striking out, in lines 22, 27 and 74, each time it appears, the word “him” and
562inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- them.
563 SECTION 63. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
564amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “himself” and inserting in place thereof the
565following word:- themselves.
566 SECTION 64. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
567amended by striking out in lines 39, 54, 102 and 103, each time it appears, the word “his” and
568inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.
569 SECTION 65. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
570amended by striking out, in line 42, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
571words:- the secretary’s.
572 SECTION 66. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
573amended by striking out, in line 57, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
574words:- the veteran.
575 SECTION 67. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
576amended by striking out, in line 59, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following
577word:- They.
578 SECTION 68. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
579amended by striking out, in line 61, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
580word:- they. 29 of 39
581 SECTION 69. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
582amended by striking out, in line 92, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
583words:- the veterans’ agent’s.
584 SECTION 70. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
585amended by striking out, in lines 95, 99 and 103, each time it appears, the word “mother” and
586inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent.
587 SECTION 71. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
588amended by striking out, in line 100, the word “her” and inserting in place thereof the following
589words:- the parent’s own.
590 SECTION 72. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
591amended by striking out, in line 106, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
592words:- the secretary.
593 SECTION 73. The seventh paragraph of said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so
594appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- An increase in income from a
595cost-of-living adjustment made to social security, supplemental security income or social
596security disability insurance shall not serve to render any recipient ineligible for benefits under
597this chapter in the year that the cost-of-living adjustment was issued.
598 SECTION 74. Section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
599striking out, in lines 2, 8, 11, 57, 60, and 63 to 64, each time they appear, the words “mother or
600father” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent. 30 of 39
601 SECTION 75. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
602amended by striking out, in lines 16 to 17, the words “mother’s or father’s” and inserting in place
603thereof the following word:- parent’s.
604 SECTION 76. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
605amended by striking out, in line 33, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
606word:- them.
607 SECTION 77. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
608amended by striking out, in line 40, the words “mother and father” and inserting in place thereof
609the following word:- parents.
610 SECTION 78. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
611amended by striking out, in line 41, the words “in his” and inserting in place thereof the
612following words:- within their.
613 SECTION 79. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
614amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
615words:- the secretary’s.
616 SECTION 80. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
617amended by striking out, in lines 47 to 48, the words “the petition in his own name” and inserting
618in place thereof the following words:- a petition.
619 SECTION 81. Section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
620striking out, in line 3, the word “him”. 31 of 39
621 SECTION 82. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
622amended by striking out, in line 12, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in place
623thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
624 SECTION 83. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
625amended by striking out, in lines 15 and 19, each time it appears, the word “he” and inserting in
626place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
627 SECTION 84. Section 6A of said chapter 115is hereby repealed.
628 SECTION 85. Section 6B of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as so appearing in the
6292022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 19, 28 and 35, each time it
630appears, the figure “2,000” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:-
6312,250.
632 SECTION 86. Said section 6B of said chapter 115 is hereby further amended by striking
633out the figure “2,250”, inserted by section 85, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof,
634in each instance, the following figure:- 2,500.
635 SECTION 87. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
636amended by striking out, in lines 21 and 30, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in
637place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.
638 SECTION 88. Section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
639striking out, in line 4, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- The
640burial agent. 32 of 39
641 SECTION 89. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
642amended by striking out, in line 8, the words “his wife, or his widow” and inserting in place
643thereof the following words:- spouse, or widowed person.
644 SECTION 90. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
645amended by striking out, in line 10, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
646words:- the burial agent.
647 SECTION 91. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
648amended by striking out, in lines 12 and 14, each time it appears, the word “he” and inserting in
649place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the burial agent.
650 SECTION 92. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
651amended by striking out, in line 17, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
652word:- their.
653 SECTION 93. Section 8 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
654striking out, in line 23, the words “widow, or widower” and inserting in place thereof the
655following words:- widowed person.
656 SECTION 94. Section 9 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
657striking out, in line 3, the words “, as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter
658four,”.
659 SECTION 95. Said chapter 115 is hereby amended by inserting after section 9 the
660following section:- 33 of 39
661 Section 9A. The executive office of veterans’ services shall have the authority to operate,
662maintain and expand the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery located in the city of
663Agawam and the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery located in the town of
664Winchendon, and may add new locations, subject to the availability of funds, to meet veterans’
665and dependents’ needs. This authority includes, but shall not be limited to, the maintenance and
666upkeep of the cemetery grounds, facilities and infrastructure, the burial and interment services in
667accordance with established federal protocols and regulations and the overall management and
668administration of the cemeteries. The executive office may adopt additional rules, regulations
669and policies as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure the proper functioning of the
670cemeteries under its control.
671 SECTION 96. Section 10 of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
672is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the
673following word:- their.
674 SECTION 97. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
675amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32, the words “duties of his office” and inserting in
676place thereof the following words:- office’s duties.
677 SECTION 98. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
678amended by striking out, in line 32, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
679word:- the.
680 SECTION 99. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
681amended by striking out, in line 37, the words “his duties as treasurer of the district” and
682inserting in place thereof the following words:- the district treasurer’s duties. 34 of 39
683 SECTION 100. Section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
684striking out, in lines 2 and 5, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof,
685in each instance, the following word:- their.
686 SECTION 101. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
687amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
688following word:- chairperson.
689 SECTION 102. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
690amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
691word:- the.
692 SECTION 103. Section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
693striking out, in line 4, the words “he, and his duly accredited agents,” and inserting in place
694thereof the following words:- they and their agents.
695 SECTION 104. Said section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
696amended by striking out, in line 11, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
697word:- a.
698 SECTION 105. Section 16 of said chapter 115, inserted by section 53 of chapter 126 of
699the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by inserting after the first sentence the following sentence:-
700The veterans equality review board shall ensure that veterans receive state-based veteran benefits
701if they receive: (i) an other than honorable discharge because of sex, race, color, religious creed,
702national origin, age, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, disability; or (ii) any U.S.
703Department of Veterans Affairs category eligible for upgrade, including, but not limited to,
704mental health conditions, military sexual trauma and traumatic brain injury. 35 of 39
705 SECTION 106. Section 16 of said chapter 115, inserted by section 18 of chapter 154 of
706the acts of 2022, is hereby repealed.
707 SECTION 107. Said chapter 115 is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
708 Section 18. (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of public health
709and the adjutant general of the Massachusetts national guard, shall contact all members of the
710Massachusetts national guard and all known veterans and members of the United States armed
711forces residing in the commonwealth who may be eligible to participate in the United States
712Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, including, but
713not limited, those who may have served in: (i) Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi
714Freedom or Operation New Dawn; (ii) Djibouti, Africa on or after September 11, 2001; (iii)
715Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001; (iv) Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert
716Storm; or (v) in the Southwest Asia theater of operations on or after August 2, 1990. Veterans or
717service members contacted shall be encouraged to join the United States Department of Veterans
718Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry and shall be provided with contact
719information for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open
720Burn Pit Registry and a copy of the informational pamphlet created by the commissioner of
721public health pursuant to subsection (b) of section 244 of chapter 111.
722 (b) The commissioner shall create a database of self-identifying service members and
723veterans who have been exposed to open burn pits or other airborne hazards, which shall include
724the name, address, electronic address, phone number, location and period of service and other
725information as deemed necessary. Such information shall be used only for the purposes of
726communicating information about exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by 36 of 39
727open burn pits or other airborne hazards to service members and veterans. The database,
728materials or other information shall be confidential and privileged, shall not be subject to chapter
72966, or clause Twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4 and shall not be subject to subpoena,
730discovery or introduction into evidence in any private civil action.
731 SECTION 108. Section 9 of chapter 115A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
732Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “home in the city of
733Chelsea” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes.
734 SECTION 109. Section 3 of chapter 115B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
735hereby amended by striking out, in line 16, the words “home in the city of Chelsea; and the chair
736of the board of trustees of the veterans’ home in the city of Holyoke” and inserting in place
737thereof the following words:- veterans’ homes.
738 SECTION 110. Section 51B of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
739hereby amended by striking out, in lines 17 and 18, the words “and (vi) all other pertinent facts
740or matters” and inserting in place thereof the following:- (vi) the military status of the parents,
741guardian or caregiver of the child and, if applicable, of the spouse or intimate partner of the
742parent, guardian or caregiver of the child; and (vii) all other pertinent facts or matters.
743 SECTION 111. Said section 51B of said chapter 119 is hereby further amended by
744adding the following subsection:-
745 (s) The department shall provide notice to appropriate military authorities about an
746allegation of an individual subject to a 51A report with a military status in accordance with
747section 69B. 37 of 39
748 SECTION 112. Said chapter 119 is hereby further amended by inserting after section
74969A the following section:-
750 Section 69B. (a) For the purposes of this section, “family advocacy program” shall mean
751the program established by the United States Department of Defense for the prevention of and
752response to child abuse and neglect and domestic abuse and intimate partner violence in military
753families.
754 (b) The commissioner shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the family
755advocacy program at military installations located in the commonwealth with respect to 51A
756reports and data collected for the investigation pursuant to subsection (b) of section 51B and
757reported pursuant to military status pursuant to subsection (s) of section 51B. The memorandum
758of understanding shall establish procedures and protocols for matters, including, but not limited
759to: (i) identifying an individual subject to a 51A report as military personnel; (ii) identifying
760appropriate circumstances for reporting to the family advocacy program without reducing the
761likelihood of reporting or creating undue risk to the health or wellbeing of the spouse, intimate
762partner or child of the military personnel; (iii) reporting to the family advocacy program when an
763investigation implicating military personnel has been initiated; and (iv) maintaining
764confidentiality requirements under state and federal law.
765 SECTION 113. Subsection (c) of section 73B of chapter 272 of the General Laws, as
766appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 18, the second
767time it appears, and in line 23, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof, in each
768instance, the following words:- executive office. 38 of 39
769 SECTION 114. Section 11 of chapter 276A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
770hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 13 the words “the department” and inserting in
771place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the executive office.
772 SECTION 115. Section 3 of chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended by section 2 of
773chapter 468 of the acts of 2002, is hereby further amended by striking out the second paragraph.
774 SECTION 116. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any member
775of a retirement system who is a member in service and a veteran who failed to make the purchase
776authorized in paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws
777pursuant to chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended, shall be given a 1-time opportunity to
778apply to the retirement system to make said purchase within 1 year from the effective date of this
779act. Each retirement system shall provide written notice to all members in service of their
780potential eligibility for this purchase within 90 days of the effective date of this act.
781 SECTION 117. (a) The secretary of veterans’ services, in coordination with the executive
782office of health and human services, shall convene a working group to review alternative
783therapies for mental health treatments for veterans. The working group shall: (i) study whether
784psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed
785mental health disorders; (ii) evaluate literature, research trials and expert opinions to determine if
786psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes regarding mental health treatment for
787veterans; and (iii) issue recommendations regarding the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat
788veterans with mental health disorders in Massachusetts. As used in this section, “psychedelic
789therapy” shall mean the use of psilocybin, ketamine, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,
790under the direction of a health care provider, to treat mental health disorders. 39 of 39
791 (b) The secretary shall appoint the following members of the working group: 2 members
792who shall represent medical centers or hospitals in the commonwealth that serve veterans; 2
793members who shall represent health insurance companies; 2 members who shall represent
794veterans’ services organizations; 1 member who shall represent an organization currently
795studying this subject matter; and such other members as the secretary deems necessary. The
796members of the working group shall have experience in behavioral health or veterans services.
797The secretary may designate a chair of the working group.
798 (c) Not later than January 1, 2025, the working group shall file a report of its findings and
799any recommendations with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint
800committee on veterans and federal affairs, and the joint committee on mental health, substance
801use and recovery.
802 SECTION 118. Sections 12 to 15, inclusive, shall take effect on taxable years beginning
803on January 1, 2024.
804 SECTION 119. Sections 16 and 18 through 24, inclusive, shall take effect 6 months after
805the effective date of this act.
806 SECTION 120. Sections 45 and 85 shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
807 SECTION 121. Section 86 shall take effect on July 1, 2025.