Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H4976 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4976
2	2	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
3	3	_______________
4	4	The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference
5	5	to the Senate amendment (striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof
6	6	the text contained in Senate document numbered 2826) of the House Bill honoring, empowering,
7	7	and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans (House, No. 4671), reports recommending
8	8	passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4976). August 1, 2024.
9	9	Michael J. MoranJohn C. VelisGerard J. CassidyMichael F. Rush Steven George XiarhosRyan C. Fattman 1 of 43
10	10	FILED ON: 8/1/2024
11	11	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4976
12	12	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
13	13	_______________
14	14	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
15	15	(2023-2024)
16	16	_______________
17	17	An Act honoring, empowering, and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans.
18	18	Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to
19	19	forthwith honor, empower and recognize servicemembers and veterans in the commonwealth,
20	20	therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation
21	21	of the public convenience.
22	22	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
23	23	of the same, as follows:
24	24	1 SECTION 1. Section 6A of chapter 2 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
25	25	2official edition, is hereby amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-
26	26	3 (h) In the event of the death of any military service member performing military duty
27	27	4under official orders, who is killed while in an active duty status, including, but not limited to, a
28	28	5member of the United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, United
29	29	6States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States National Guard, United States Army
30	30	7Reserves and United States Space Force, and residing in the commonwealth, from the day of
31	31	8death until sunset of the day of interment, the flag of the commonwealth shall be flown at half-
32	32	9staff in accordance with such orders or instructions as may be issued by, or at the direction of,
33	33	10the governor. 2 of 43
34	34	11 (i) In the event the remains of a POW or a MIA are repatriated within the commonwealth,
35	35	12from the day of arrival within the commonwealth through the day of interment the flag of the
36	36	13commonwealth shall be flown at half-staff.
37	37	14 (j) Annually, on national POW/MIA recognition day, observed on the third Friday of
38	38	15September, from sunrise to sunset the flag of the commonwealth shall be flown at half-staff.
39	39	16 SECTION 2. Section 34 of said chapter 2, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking
40	40	17out, in line 2, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
41	41	18executive office.
42	42	19 SECTION 3. Subsection (d) of section 16DD of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as
43	43	20appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 29, the second
44	44	21time it appears, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
45	45	22executive office.
46	46	23 SECTION 4. Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section
47	47	2415ZZZZZZ the following 2 sections:-
48	48	25 Section. 15AAAAAAA. The governor shall set apart May 22 as United States Merchant
49	49	26Marine Day in recognition of the establishment of the United States Merchant Marine on June
50	50	2712, 1775, and shall annually issue a proclamation recommend that the day be observed in an
51	51	28appropriate manner by the people.
52	52	29 Section 15BBBBBBB. The governor shall annually set apart December 20 as United
53	53	30States Space Force Day, in recognition of the Space Force’s distinguished history and 3 of 43
54	54	31spacefaring service, and recommend that the day be observed in an appropriate manner by the
55	55	32people.
56	56	33 SECTION 5. Said section 219 of said chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further
57	57	34amended by inserting after the word “leader”, in line 18, the second time it appears, the
58	58	35following words:- ; 1 person appointed by the governor representing a veterans organization in
59	59	36the commonwealth.
60	60	37 SECTION 6. Section 219 of said chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
61	61	38striking out, in line 8, the figure “21” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 23.
62	62	39 SECTION 7. Said section 219 of said chapter 6, as so appearing, is hereby further
63	63	40amended by inserting after the word “chair”, in line 10, the following words:- ; the secretary of
64	64	41veterans' services or a designee.
65	65	42 SECTION 8. Section 105 of said chapter 6A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
66	66	43striking out, in line 1, the words “a department” and inserting in place thereof the following
67	67	44words:- an executive office.
68	68	45 SECTION 9. Chapter 6 is hereby amended by inserting after section 15ZZZZZZ the
69	69	46following section:-
70	70	47 Section 15CCCCCCC. (a) The governor shall annually issue a proclamation on Memorial
71	71	48Day in recognition of the sacrifices of Gold Star families in the commonwealth and the following
72	72	49landmarks and bridges shall be illuminated in gold on Memorial Day to commemorate and
73	73	50recognize the lives of those lost in military service, including, but not limited to:
74	74	51 (1) the Gold Star Families Bridge in the city of Lynn; 4 of 43
75	75	52 (2) the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge in the cities of Boston and
76	76	53Cambridge;
77	77	54 (3) the Longfellow Bridge in the cities of Boston and Cambridge;
78	78	55 (4) the Fore River Bridge in the city of Quincy and the town of Weymouth; and
79	79	56 (5) the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge in the city of Worcester and the town of
80	80	57Shrewsbury.
81	81	58 (b) The governor, the department of transportation, the executive office of veterans’
82	82	59services and the Military Friends Foundation shall establish policies and procedures necessary to
83	83	60implement this section.
84	84	61 SECTION 10. Section 4G of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
85	85	62amended by striking out, in lines 7 to 8, the words “the department of veterans’ services,”.
86	86	63 SECTION 11. Section 61 of said chapter 7 is hereby amended by striking out, in lines
87	87	64124 and 125, as so appearing, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following
88	88	65words:- executive office.
89	89	66 SECTION 12. Section 78 of chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
90	90	67inserting after the word "Reserve", in line 11, as so appearing, the following words:- , United
91	91	68States Space Force.
92	92	69 SECTION 13. Section 17 of chapter 11 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
93	93	70amended by striking out, in line 21, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the
94	94	71following words:- executive office. 5 of 43
95	95	72 SECTION 14. Section 1G of chapter 15 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
96	96	73amended by inserting after the word “students”, in line 86, the following words:- , including
97	97	74military-connected students.
98	98	75 SECTION 15. Chapter 15D of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
99	99	76section 7 the following section:-
100	100	77 Section 7A. For the purposes of this section, “military installation” shall mean a base,
101	101	78camp, post, station, yard, center or other activity under the jurisdiction of the secretary of a
102	102	79United States military department or, in the case of an activity in a foreign country, under the
103	103	80operational control of the secretary of a United States military department or the United States
104	104	81Secretary of Defense, regardless of the duration of operational control.
105	105	82 Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, sections 6
106	106	83and 7 shall not apply to a childcare provider on a military installation or a facility licensed or
107	107	84certified as a family child care provider by a branch of the United States Department of Defense
108	108	85or by the United States Coast Guard.
109	109	86 SECTION 16. Said section 1 of said chapter 15E, as so appearing, is hereby further
110	110	87amended by inserting after the word “Force”, in line 69, the following words:- , Space Force.
111	111	88 SECTION 17. Section 49 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
112	112	89amended by striking out, in lines 14 and 15, the words “home in the city of Chelsea” and
113	113	90inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes. 6 of 43
114	114	91 SECTION 18. Paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General
115	115	92Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the fourth subparagraph and inserting
116	116	93in place thereof the following subparagraph:-
117	117	94 Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law, rule or
118	118	95regulation to the contrary, a member in service of a retirement system as defined in section 1
119	119	96shall be provided written notice by the retirement board upon entry into service that if they
120	120	97qualify as a veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States, they shall be entitled to
121	121	98credit for active service in the armed services of the United States; provided, however, that such
122	122	99active service shall not be credited until such member, prior to or within 1 year of vesting
123	123	100pursuant to this chapter, has paid into the annuity savings fund of such system, in 1 sum or in
124	124	101installments, upon such terms and conditions as the board may prescribe, makeup payments, for
125	125	102each year of creditable service sought, of an amount equal to 10 per cent of the regular annual
126	126	103compensation of the member when said member entered the retirement system; provided further,
127	127	104that such creditable service shall not be construed to include service for more than 4 years; and
128	128	105provided further, that such creditable service shall not be allowed for any period of active service
129	129	106for which said veteran has received credit pursuant to this paragraph. This paragraph shall apply
130	130	107to national guard and active reserve personnel, both former and present. Creditable service time,
131	131	108both enlisted and commissioned, may be applied toward retirement on a ratio of 5 years of
132	132	109national guard service or 5 years of active reserve service substitutable for each year of active
133	133	110service. National guard and active reserve personnel shall not be precluded from making said
134	134	111purchase if they qualify as a veteran after vesting or if they reach the maximum of 4 years of
135	135	112eligible service purchase after vesting and qualifying as a veteran; provided, however, that they
136	136	113enter into a purchase agreement within 5 years of the last occurring event. 7 of 43
137	137	114 SECTION 19. Section 15 of chapter 33 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
138	138	115amended by adding the following paragraph:-
139	139	116 (j) There shall be a military spouse liaison appointed by the adjutant general who shall
140	140	117conduct outreach to and advocate on behalf of military spouses residing in the commonwealth.
141	141	118The duties of the military spouse liaison shall include, but not be limited to: (i) providing
142	142	119assistance and information to military spouses seeking professional licenses and credentials or
143	143	120other employment the commonwealth; (ii) coordinating research on issues facing military
144	144	121spouses; (iii) creating informational materials to assist military spouses and their families; (iv)
145	145	122providing recommendations to assist spouses in accessing high quality child care; (v) developing
146	146	123resources in coordination with military installations to increase access to high quality child care
147	147	124for military families; and (vi) assisting military spouses with finding employment in relevant
148	148	125sectors.
149	149	126 SECTION 20. Said chapter 33 is hereby further amended by striking out section 59, as
150	150	127so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
151	151	128 Section 59. (a) An employee of the commonwealth in the service of the armed forces of
152	152	129the commonwealth, the armed forces of another state or a reserve component of the armed forces
153	153	130of the United States shall be entitled to receive pay without loss of ordinary remuneration as a
154	154	131public employee during service in the uniformed services, annual training under section 60 or
155	155	132drills and parades under section 61, or for an employee in the service of the armed forces of
156	156	133another state, annual training, drills or parades under a corresponding law of that state, not
157	157	134exceeding 40 days in any federal fiscal year, and shall not lose any seniority or any accrued
158	158	135vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, compensation time or earned overtime. For the 8 of 43
159	159	136purposes of this section, “uniformed services'' shall have the same meaning as in section 13. For
160	160	137the purposes of this subsection, “day'' shall mean any 24–hour period regardless of calendar day.
161	161	138 SECTION 21. Section 67A of chapter 33 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
162	162	139amended by adding the following paragraph:-
163	163	140 Next of kin of a fallen service member may apply to the adjutant general for a medal of
164	164	141liberty, in a form prescribed by the adjutant general. There shall be within the application for the
165	165	142medal of liberty a notification that informs applicants of their eligibility to receive the medal of
166	166	143liberty license plate, pursuant to section 2 of chapter 90, free of charge upon approval of the
167	167	144application. The notification shall read as follows: IF YOU RECEIVE THE MEDAL OF
168	168	145LIBERTY, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE MEDAL OF LIBERTY LICENSE
169	169	146PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. APPLY AT https://www.mass.gov/doc/application-for-medal-of-
170	170	147liberty-plates.
171	171	148 SECTION 22. Subsection (b) of article 43 of chapter 33A of the General Laws, as so
172	172	149appearing, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (2) and inserting in place thereof the
173	173	150following paragraph:-
174	174	151 (2) A person charged with an offense shall not be liable to be punished under article 15 if
175	175	152the Massachusetts National Guard knew, or reasonably should have known, of the offense more
176	176	153than 2 years before the imposition of punishment.
177	177	154 SECTION 23. Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
178	178	155amended by inserting after clause Twenty-second H the following 2 clauses:- 9 of 43
179	179	156 Twenty-second I. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the
180	180	157commissioner of revenue to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, an abatement
181	181	158granted pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C,
182	182	159Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be increased annually by an amount equal to the
183	183	160increase in the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index for such year. The
184	184	161department of revenue shall annually inform each city or town that accepts this clause of the
185	185	162amount of such increase.
186	186	163 Twenty-second J. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the
187	187	164commissioner of revenue to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, a taxpayer
188	188	165who otherwise qualifies for an exemption pursuant to clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A,
189	189	166Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be granted an
190	190	167additional exemption the amount of which shall not exceed 100 per cent of the exemption for
191	191	168which the taxpayer qualifies, as may be determined by the legislative body of the city or town,
192	192	169subject to its charter, not later than the beginning of the fiscal year to which the additional
193	193	170exemption shall commence; provided, however, that the additional exemption shall be uniform
194	194	171for all taxpayers who qualify for an exemption under said clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second
195	195	172A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F. Once accepted,
196	196	173the amount of the exemption shall continue until amended by the legislative body of the city or
197	197	174town. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the exemption shall be in
198	198	175addition to any exemption allowable pursuant to this section; provided, however, the taxable
199	199	176valuation of the property receiving an exemption pursuant to this clause, after all applicable
200	200	177exemptions, shall not be reduced below 10 per cent of its full and fair cash valuation, except
201	201	178through the applicability of clause Eighteenth. Acceptance of this clause by a city or town shall 10 of 43
202	202	179not increase the amount that the city or town otherwise would have been reimbursed by the
203	203	180commonwealth pursuant to the clause. The additional exemption contained within this clause
204	204	181shall not be implemented in any year in which the city or town has also accepted section 5C1/2.
205	205	182 SECTION 24. Section 1 of chapter 60A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
206	206	183amended by striking out, in lines 101 to 103, inclusive, the words “medical advisory board
207	207	184established under section 8C of chapter 90 to be permanently disabled”, and inserting in place
208	208	185thereof the following words:- United States Department of Veterans Affairs to: (i) have a
209	209	186combined service-connected disability rating of 100 per cent; or (ii) be individually
210	210	187unemployable due to their service-connected disability.
211	211	188 SECTION 25. Subsection (u) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as so
212	212	189appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1113 and 1130, the figure “$2,000” and
213	213	190inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500.
214	214	191 SECTION 26. Said subsection (u) of said section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is
215	215	192hereby further amended by striking out, in line 1119, the words “the day” and inserting in place
216	216	193thereof the following words:- six months after.
217	217	194 SECTION 27. Section 38GG of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
218	218	195hereby amended by striking out, in lines 8 and 24, the figure “$2,000” and inserting in place
219	219	196thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500.
220	220	197 SECTION 28. Said section 38GG of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby further
221	221	198amended by striking out, in line 13, the words “the day” and inserting in place thereof the
222	222	199following words:- six months after. 11 of 43
223	223	200 SECTION 29. Section 6 of chapter 64H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
224	224	201amended by striking out subsection (u) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
225	225	202 (u) Sale of a motor vehicle purchased by and for the use of a person who has suffered
226	226	203loss, or permanent loss of use, of both legs or both arms or 1 leg and 1 arm or by and for the use
227	227	204of a veteran who has been determined to be permanently disabled by the medical advisory board
228	228	205established under section 8C of chapter 90 and has been issued a plate displaying the words
229	229	206“Disabled Veteran” or a Purple Heart distinctive registration plate pursuant to section 2J of said
230	230	207chapter 90; provided, however, that this exemption shall apply to 1 motor vehicle owned and
231	231	208registered only for the personal, noncommercial use of such person. A person who is otherwise
232	232	209eligible for this exemption and who was previously issued a Purple Heart distinctive registration
233	233	210plate shall not be required to forfeit such plate to remain eligible for this exemption.
234	234	211 SECTION 30. Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
235	235	212following section:-
236	236	213 Section 38. (a) For the purposes of this section, “military-connected student” shall mean a
237	237	214student who is an unemancipated person whose parent or guardian: (i) is a current or reserve
238	238	215member of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United
239	239	216States Coast Guard, United States Space Force, Army Nurse Corps, Navy Nurse Corps, United
240	240	217States Air Force, Air National Guard or Army National Guard; or (ii) a member of a military or
241	241	218reserve force under clause (i) who was killed in the line of duty.
242	242	219 (b) A school district shall provide information about support services available to a
243	243	220military-connected student if their parent or guardian is called or ordered to active duty pursuant
244	244	221to Title 10 or 32 of the United States Code and said parent or guardian notifies the district of 12 of 43
245	245	222such active duty or a student’s parent or guardian is a member of a military or reserve force and
246	246	223was killed in the line of duty. The school district shall include information on school-based
247	247	224support services available to such student related to mental and behavioral health supports.
248	248	225 (c) The department shall coordinate with the military division of the commonwealth to
249	249	226 carry out subsection (b), including posting information about military family resources to
250	250	227the department’s website and providing informational materials for use by school districts to
251	251	228inform parents and guardians of the supports available under said subsection (b).
252	252	229 (d) A school district may notify a teacher of the enrollment of a military-connected
253	253	230 student at the request of the military-connected student’s parent or guardian to provide
254	254	231the teacher with the opportunity to monitor a military-connected student’s level of academic
255	255	232 engagement and provide support as needed.
256	256	233 SECTION 31. Section 4 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, is hereby amended by
257	257	234striking out, in line 32, the word “department”, the second time it appears, and inserting in place
258	258	235thereof the following words:- executive office.
259	259	236 SECTION 32. Said section 4 of said chapter 71, as so appearing, is hereby further
260	260	237amended by striking out, in line 39, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the
261	261	238following words:- executive office.
262	262	239 SECTION 33. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking
263	263	240out, in lines 172 to 186, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “pleasure passenger vehicles
264	264	241owned by veterans who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration,
265	265	242has been determined to have a service-connected disability rating of 60 per cent or greater and by 13 of 43
266	266	243reason of service in the armed forces of the United States have suffered loss or permanent loss of
267	267	244use of one or both feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent
268	268	245impairment of vision of both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less
269	269	246in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a
270	270	247field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter
271	271	248of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than twenty degrees in the better eye, or
272	272	249any other disability or handicap of such veterans which may be determined by the medical
273	273	250advisory board as established by section eight C, and”.
274	274	251 SECTION 34. The seventh paragraph of said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so
275	275	252appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the third and fourth sentences.
276	276	253 SECTION 35. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking
277	277	254out, in lines 246 to 258, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “and the words “Disabled Veteran”
278	278	255for a pleasure passenger vehicle or a pick-up truck owned or leased by and used by a veteran
279	279	256who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration, by reason of service
280	280	257in the armed forces of the United States has suffered loss or permanent loss of use of one or both
281	281	258feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent impairment of vision of
282	282	259both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with
283	283	260corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which
284	284	261the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field
285	285	262subtends an angular distance no greater that 20 degrees in the better eye, or any other disability
286	286	263or handicap”. 14 of 43
287	287	264 SECTION 36. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
288	288	265the twelfth paragraph, as so appearing.
289	289	266 SECTION 37. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
290	290	267the fifteenth through seventeenth paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.
291	291	268 SECTION 38. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
292	292	269the nineteenth through twenty-second paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.
293	293	270 SECTION 39. The twenty-third paragraph of said section 2 of chapter 90, as so
294	294	271appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- The registrar, in consultation
295	295	272with the adjutant general of the Massachusetts national guard, shall notify all past recipients of
296	296	273the medal of liberty, established pursuant to said section 67A of said chapter 33, of their
297	297	274eligibility for the medal of liberty license plate through a letter, which shall include the
298	298	275application for the medal of liberty license plate.
299	299	276 SECTION 40. Section 33 of said chapter 90, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is
300	300	277hereby amended by striking out paragraph (29) and inserting in place thereof the following
301	301	278paragraph:-
302	302	279 (29) No fee shall be exacted for the registration of any vehicle owned by a veteran who
303	303	280has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to: (i) have a
304	304	281combined service-connected disability rating of 100 per cent; or (ii) be individually
305	305	282unemployable due to their service-connected disability, and no fee shall be exacted for the
306	306	283issuance to such disabled veteran of a license to operate such vehicle. 15 of 43
307	307	284 SECTION 41. Section 244 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as inserted by section 14
308	308	285of chapter 154 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2, 28, the second
309	309	286time it appears, 35 and 38, the word “commissioner” and inserting in place thereof, in each
310	310	287instance, the following word:- secretary.
311	311	288 SECTION 42. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by said section 14 of said
312	312	289chapter 154, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 43, as appearing in the 2022
313	313	290Official Edition, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
314	314	291executive office.
315	315	292 SECTION 43. Section 244 of said chapter 111, inserted by section 34 of chapter 177 of
316	316	293the acts of 2023, is hereby repealed.
317	317	294 SECTION 44. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
318	318	295following section:-
319	319	296 Section 245. The department shall administer an initiative to increase public awareness of
320	320	297and education on the availability of the extreme risk protection order process established
321	321	298pursuant to sections 131R to 131Y, inclusive, of chapter 140, to remove a firearm from the
322	322	299control, ownership or possession of an individual who poses a risk of causing bodily injury to
323	323	300themself or others. The initiative shall focus on the heighted risk of suicide associated with the
324	324	301possession of a firearm and shall include information on: (i) eligibility to petition for an extreme
325	325	302risk protection order; (ii) the procedure to petition for an extreme risk protection order; (iii)
326	326	303options to voluntarily surrender a firearm to a law enforcement agency; and (iv) the availability
327	327	304of existing legal resources and support services for a potential petitioner. 16 of 43
328	328	305 SECTION 45. Subsection (b) of section 3 of chapter 111C of the General Laws, as
329	329	306appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out clause (26) and
330	330	307inserting in place thereof the following 2 clauses:-
331	331	308 (26) establish standards, which may include following National Registry of EMTs’
332	332	309standards, for determining the extent to which the education and training requirements of
333	333	310veterans and military medics of the United States armed forces are substantially equivalent to the
334	334	311course and training requirements of emergency medical technicians in the commonwealth;
335	335	312 (27) take any other action consistent with its role as state lead agency for EMS.
336	336	313 SECTION 46. Said chapter 111C is hereby further amended by inserting after section 9A
337	337	314the following section:-
338	338	315 Section 9B. (a) The department may grant a waiver to veterans or military medics of the
339	339	316United States armed forces applying to be an emergency medical technician consistent with
340	340	317standards established pursuant to clause (26) of subsection (b) of section 3 if the completed
341	341	318courses or training required by the United States armed forces are substantially equivalent to
342	342	319training consistent with this chapter for emergency medical technicians.
343	343	320 (b) The applicant for a waiver pursuant to subsection (a) shall submit sufficient proof of
344	344	321completion of the substantially equivalent courses and training to the department.
345	345	322 (c) No veteran or military medic applying to be an emergency medical technician who
346	346	323has completed substantially equivalent emergency training with the United States armed forces,
347	347	324as determined by the department, shall be required to complete the same training for EMT
348	348	325certification or licensing in the commonwealth. 17 of 43
349	349	326 (d) The department shall issue a verification of emergency medical technician education
350	350	327and training equivalency if the department determines the completed courses or training required
351	351	328by the United States armed forces are substantially equivalent to training consistent with this
352	352	329chapter for emergency medical technicians.
353	353	330 SECTION 47. Said chapter 115 is hereby further amended by adding the following
354	354	331section:-
355	355	332 Section 18. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following
356	356	333meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
357	357	334 “Compensation”, payment of any money, thing of value or financial benefit.
358	358	335 “Person”, an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited
359	359	336liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental
360	360	337subdivision, agency or instrumentality or any other legal or commercial entity.
361	361	338 “Veterans benefits matter”, the preparation, presentation or prosecution of any claim
362	362	339affecting any person who has filed or expressed an intent to file a claim for any benefit, program,
363	363	340service, commodity, function or status, entitlement to which is determined under the laws and
364	364	341regulations administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of
365	365	342Defense pertaining to veterans, their dependents, their survivors and any other individual eligible
366	366	343for such benefits.
367	367	344 (b) In regard to a veterans benefits matter, no person shall: (i) receive compensation for:
368	368	345(A) preparation, presentation, prosecution, advising, consulting or assisting any individual with
369	369	346regard to any veterans benefits matter, except as permitted under federal law; or (B) referring a 18 of 43
370	370	347veteran to another person to prepare, present, prosecute, advise, consult or assist such veteran
371	371	348with any veterans benefits matter; (ii) guarantee, either directly or by implication, that any
372	372	349individual is certain to receive specific veterans benefits or that any individual is certain to
373	373	350receive a specific level, percentage or amount of veterans benefits; or (iii) receive excessive or
374	374	351unreasonable fees under 38 C.F.R 14.636(e) as compensation for advising or assisting any
375	375	352veteran with any veterans benefits matter.
376	376	353 (c) A violation of this section shall also be a violation of chapter 93A.
377	377	354 SECTION 48. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
378	378	355amended by striking out the definition of “veteran” and inserting in place thereof the following
379	379	356definition:-
380	380	357 “Veteran”, any person who (a) is a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of
381	381	358chapter 4; or (b) served on active duty in the armed forces for at least 90 days and whose last
382	382	359discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; or (c) served on active duty,
383	383	360to include active duty solely for training purposes, in the armed forces, and was awarded a
384	384	361service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than
385	385	362dishonorable; or (d) served in the national guard or as a reservist in any branch of the armed
386	386	363forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was awarded a service-connected
387	387	364disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (e) is
388	388	365determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; provided, that
389	389	366in any case, the service of such person qualified under clause (a) through clause (e) was entered
390	390	367into or served in Massachusetts, or such person has resided in the commonwealth for 1 day, 19 of 43
391	391	368except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran’s
392	392	369dependents.
393	393	370 SECTION 49. Said chapter 115 is hereby amended by inserting after section 9 the
394	394	371following section:-
395	395	372 Section 9A. The executive office of veterans’ services shall operate, maintain and expand
396	396	373the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial cemetery located in the city known as the town of
397	397	374Agawam and the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial cemetery located in the town of
398	398	375Winchendon and may add new cemetery locations, subject to the availability of funds, to meet
399	399	376veterans’ and veteran dependents’ needs; provided, however, that the office shall maintain the
400	400	377cemetery grounds, facilities and infrastructure and shall manage the burial and interment
401	401	378services. The executive office may adopt additional rules, regulations and policies as necessary
402	402	379to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure the proper functioning of the cemeteries under its control.
403	403	380 SECTION 50. Subsection (c) of section 73B of chapter 272 of the General Laws, as
404	404	381appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 18, the second
405	405	382time it appears, and in line 23, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof, in each
406	406	383instance, the following words:- executive office.
407	407	384 SECTION 551. Section 11 of chapter 276A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
408	408	385hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 13 the words “the department” and inserting in
409	409	386place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the executive office.
410	410	387 SECTION 52. Section 3 of chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended by section 2 of
411	411	388chapter 468 of the acts of 2002, is hereby further amended by striking out the second paragraph. 20 of 43
412	412	389 SECTION 53. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any member of
413	413	390a retirement system who is a member in service and a veteran who failed to make the purchase
414	414	391authorized in paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws
415	415	392pursuant to chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended, shall be given a 1-time opportunity to
416	416	393apply to the retirement system to make said purchase within 1 year from the effective date of this
417	417	394act. Each retirement system shall provide written notice to all members in service of their
418	418	395potential eligibility for this purchase within 90 days of the effective date of this act.
419	419	396 SECTION 54. Section 2EEEEE of chapter 29 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
420	420	397hereby amended by striking out, in line 14, the words “department of veterans” and inserting in
421	421	398place thereof the following words:- executive office of veterans’.
422	422	399 SECTION 55. Section 41 of said chapter 6, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is
423	423	400hereby amended by striking out, in lines 47 and 94, the word “department” and inserting in place
424	424	401thereof, in each instance, the following words:- executive office.
425	425	402 SECTION 556. Section 1 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
426	426	403amended by striking out the definition of “'Dependent” and inserting in place thereof the
427	427	404following definition:-
428	428	405 “Dependent”, the spouse, widowed person, child or parent of a veteran, including any
429	429	406person who stood in the relationship of a parent to such veteran for the 5 years next preceding the
430	430	407commencement of the veteran’s wartime service; provided, that no child of a veteran who is
431	431	408older than 18 years of age shall be deemed a dependent, unless the child meets the criteria
432	432	409established for emancipation pursuant to section 28 of chapter 208 or section 9 of chapter 209C 21 of 43
433	433	410or unless the child is mentally or physically unable to support themselves after attaining the age
434	434	411of 23.
435	435	412 SECTION 57. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
436	436	413amended by striking out, in line 25, the word “his”, each time it appears, and inserting in place
437	437	414thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the applicant’s.
438	438	415 SECTION 58. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
439	439	416amended by striking out, in line 26, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
440	440	417words:- the applicant.
441	441	418 SECTION 59. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
442	442	419amended by striking out, in lines 54 and 55, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of
443	443	420section seven of chapter four,”.
444	444	421 SECTION 60. Section 2 of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is
445	445	422hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1 and 2, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of
446	446	423section seven of chapter four”.
447	447	424 SECTION 61. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
448	448	425striking out, in line 39, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the
449	449	426person’s.
450	450	427 SECTION 62. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
451	451	428amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
452	452	429words:- a party’s.
453	453	430 22 of 43
454	454	431 SECTION 63. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
455	455	432amended by striking out, in lines 7 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
456	456	433instance, the following word:- the secretary’s.
457	457	434 SECTION 64. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
458	458	435amended by striking out, in lines 8, 12, 20, 66, 82, 103, 123, 131, 139 and 150, the word “He”
459	459	436and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-The secretary.
460	460	437 SECTION 65. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
461	461	438amended by striking out, in lines 12, 63, 71, 89, 98, 113, 118 and 119, the word “him” and
462	462	439inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
463	463	440 SECTION 66. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
464	464	441amended by striking out, in lines 13, 14, 61, 118, 125, 129, 134 and 142, the word “he” and
465	465	442inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
466	466	443 SECTION 67. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
467	467	444amended by striking out, in line 82, the words “him or by his” and inserting in place thereof the
468	468	445following words:- the secretary or the secretary’s.
469	469	446 SECTION 68. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
470	470	447amended by striking out, in line 98, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
471	471	448words:- the applicant’s.
472	472	449 SECTION 69. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
473	473	450amended by striking out, in lines 153 and 156, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in
474	474	451each instance, the following word:- a. 23 of 43
475	475	452 SECTION 70. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
476	476	453amended by striking out, in line 155, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
477	477	454following word:- chair.
478	478	455 SECTION 71. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
479	479	456amended by adding the following paragraph:-
480	480	457 Annually, not later than November 1, the secretary shall report on the activities of the
481	481	458office and data collected related to veterans, including, but not limited to: (i) the number of
482	482	459recipients of state veteran benefits and applicants for benefits, delineated by municipality and
483	483	460demographic; (ii) a breakdown on the outcome of benefit appeal decisions pursuant to this
484	484	461section; (iii) a summary of the office’s outreach to veterans on the availability of and process for
485	485	462applying for benefits; (iv) demographic and regional information available on the veteran
486	486	463population in the commonwealth; (v) directives in effect; and (vi) any legislative
487	487	464recommendations necessary to better serve veterans and their families in the commonwealth. The
488	488	465office shall publicly post the report on the office’s website and submit the report to the joint
489	489	466committee on veterans and federal affairs, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives
490	490	467and the senate and house committees on ways and means.
491	491	468 SECTION 72. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
492	492	469amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-
493	493	470 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a medical assistance benefit in
494	494	471addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the medical assistance
495	495	472benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded resources before
496	496	473seeking aid under this paragraph. The medical assistance benefit shall include, but not be limited 24 of 43
497	497	474to, covering the cost of necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions and other such
498	498	475treatments as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation
499	499	476or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
500	500	477 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a behavioral health assistance
501	501	478benefit in addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the behavioral
502	502	479health assistance benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded
503	503	480resources before seeking aid under this paragraph. The behavioral health assistance benefit shall
504	504	481include, but not be limited to, coverage for the cost of those necessary outpatient behavioral
505	505	482health assessments, evaluations, visits, prescriptions and other such treatment as the secretary
506	506	483shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation or otherwise, make
507	507	484provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
508	508	485 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a dental assistance benefit in
509	509	486addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the dental assistance benefit
510	510	487shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded resources before seeking
511	511	488aid under this paragraph. The dental assistance benefit shall include, but not be limited to,
512	512	489coverage for the cost of those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions and other such
513	513	490treatments as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation
514	514	491or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
515	515	492 SECTION 73. The third paragraph of said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing,
516	516	493is hereby amended by inserting after the third sentence the following 3 sentences:- Any claimant
517	517	494aggrieved by a decision of a veterans’ agent regarding veterans benefits or by the failure of a city
518	518	495or town to render adequate veterans' benefits or to take, approve or deny an application for 25 of 43
519	519	496veterans’ benefits within 45 days of receiving such application or the claimant requesting to
520	520	497apply for benefits or any person aggrieved by the termination or reduction of such benefits shall
521	521	498have the right to appeal to the secretary. An appeal shall be filed with the secretary within 90
522	522	499days of the claimant’s receipt of a written adverse notice. An informal administrative hearing of
523	523	500such appeal shall be conducted to review the facts and circumstances giving rise to the appeal.
524	524	501The secretary shall issue a decision on the appeal within 90 days after the informal
525	525	502administrative hearing has closed.
526	526	503 SECTION 74. Section 2B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
527	527	504striking out, in lines 7 and 8, each time it appears, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof,
528	528	505in each instance, the following word:- a.
529	529	506 SECTION 75. Said chapter 115 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2D
530	530	507the following section:-
531	531	508 Section 2E. (a) The secretary, in consultation with the secretary of labor and workforce
532	532	509development, shall create and distribute a veterans’ benefits and services notice.
533	533	510 (b) The veterans’ benefits and services notice shall include information regarding the
534	534	511services and resources available to veterans, including, but not limited to: (i) contact and website
535	535	512information for the executive office of veterans’ services and the United States Department of
536	536	513Veterans Affairs; (ii) substance abuse and mental health treatment resources; (iii) educational,
537	537	514workforce and training resources; (iv) tax benefits resources; (v) information about obtaining a
538	538	515veteran indicator on a state driver’s license or identification card; (vi) information about
539	539	516eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits under state and federal law; (vii) legal services 26 of 43
540	540	517resources; and (viii) contact information for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
541	541	518Veterans Crisis Line.
542	542	519 (c) Every employer in the commonwealth with more than 50 full-time employees shall
543	543	520post the notice created pursuant to subsection (a) in a conspicuous location in the workplace
544	544	521accessible to employees and shall distribute the notice to each employee at the start of
545	545	522employment and on an annual basis.
546	546	523 SECTION 76. Section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
547	547	524striking out, in line 17, the word “his”.
548	548	525 SECTION 77. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
549	549	526amended by striking out, in line 18, the words “in behalf of a civil war” and inserting in place
550	550	527thereof the following words:- on behalf of a.
551	551	528 SECTION 78. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
552	552	529amended by striking out, in line 19, the words “,under the provisions of section two”.
553	553	530 SECTION 79. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
554	554	531amended by striking out, in lines 18 and 19, the words “his wife or widow” and inserting in place
555	555	532thereof the following words:- a veteran’s spouse or widowed person.
556	556	533 SECTION 80. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
557	557	534amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
558	558	535words:- the secretary. 27 of 43
559	559	536 SECTION 81. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
560	560	537amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
561	561	538words:- the agent’s.
562	562	539 SECTION 82. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
563	563	540amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
564	564	541words:- the veteran.
565	565	542 SECTION 83. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
566	566	543amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
567	567	544words:- the veteran’s.
568	568	545 SECTION 84. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
569	569	546amended by striking out, in lines 25 and 27, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in
570	570	547each instance, the following words:- the agent.
571	571	548 SECTION 85. Section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
572	572	549striking out, in lines 4, 5, 8 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
573	573	550instance, the following words:- the applicants.
574	574	551 SECTION 86. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
575	575	552amended by striking out, in line 14, the word “widow” and inserting in place thereof the
576	576	553following words:- widowed person.
577	577	554 SECTION 87. Section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
578	578	555striking out, in lines 2 and 55, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the
579	579	556following words:- the veteran. 28 of 43
580	580	557 SECTION 88. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
581	581	558amended by striking out, in lines 5 to 10, the words “unless he has actually resided within the
582	582	559commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of his application for such
583	583	560benefits, nor unless the veteran of whom he is a dependent has actually resided within the
584	584	561commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of such dependent’s
585	585	562application for such benefits” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- except upon
586	586	563like terms.
587	587	564 SECTION 89. The seventh paragraph of said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so
588	588	565appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- An increase in income from a
589	589	566cost-of-living adjustment made to social security, supplemental security income or social
590	590	567security disability insurance shall not serve to render any recipient ineligible for benefits under
591	591	568this chapter in the year that the cost-of-living adjustment was issued.
592	592	569 SECTION 90. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
593	593	570amended by striking out, in lines 4, 16, 25, 26, 45, 59, 62, 63, 65 and 66, the word “his” and
594	594	571inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- their.
595	595	572 SECTION 91. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
596	596	573amended by striking out, in lines 22 and 74, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in
597	597	574each instance, the following word:- them.
598	598	575 SECTION 92. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
599	599	576amended by striking out, in line 27, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
600	600	577words:- the applicant. 29 of 43
601	601	578 SECTION 93. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
602	602	579amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “himself” and inserting in place thereof the
603	603	580following word:- themselves.
604	604	581 SECTION 94. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
605	605	582amended by striking out in lines 39, 43, 51, 54, 102 and 103, the word “his” and inserting in
606	606	583place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.
607	607	584 SECTION 95. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
608	608	585amended by striking out, in line 42, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
609	609	586words:- the secretary’s.
610	610	587 SECTION 96. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
611	611	588amended by striking out, in line 57, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
612	612	589words:- the veteran.
613	613	590 SECTION 97. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
614	614	591amended by striking out, in line 59, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following
615	615	592word:- They.
616	616	593 SECTION 98. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
617	617	594amended by striking out, in line 61, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
618	618	595word:- they.
619	619	596 SECTION 99. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
620	620	597amended by striking out, in line 92, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
621	621	598words:- the veterans’ agent’s. 30 of 43
622	622	599 SECTION 100. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
623	623	600amended by striking out, in lines 95, 99 and 103, the word “mother” and inserting in place
624	624	601thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent.
625	625	602 SECTION 101. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
626	626	603amended by striking out, in line 100, the word “her” and inserting in place thereof the following
627	627	604words:- the parent’s.
628	628	605 SECTION 102. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
629	629	606amended by striking out, in line 106, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
630	630	607words:- the secretary.
631	631	608 SECTION 103. The second paragraph of said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so
632	632	609appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- A city or town may, upon
633	633	610recommendation of the veterans’ agent and with written authorization from the veteran or
634	634	611dependent, disburse veterans’ benefits under this section by direct deposit to a financial
635	635	612institution of the veteran or dependent’s choice or by mail.
636	636	613 SECTION 104. Section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
637	637	614striking out, in lines 2, 8, 11, 57, 60 and 63 and 64, the words “mother or father” and inserting in
638	638	615place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent.
639	639	616 SECTION 105. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
640	640	617amended by striking out, in lines 16 and 17, the words “mother’s or father’s” and inserting in
641	641	618place thereof the following word:- parent’s. 31 of 43
642	642	619 SECTION 106. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
643	643	620amended by striking out, in line 33, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
644	644	621word:- the person.
645	645	622 SECTION 107. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
646	646	623amended by striking out, in line 40, the words “mother and father” and inserting in place thereof
647	647	624the following word:- parents.
648	648	625 SECTION 108. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
649	649	626amended by striking out, in line 41, the words “in his” and inserting in place thereof the
650	650	627following words:- within the secretary’s.
651	651	628 SECTION 109. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
652	652	629amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
653	653	630words:- the secretary’s.
654	654	631 SECTION 110. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
655	655	632amended by striking out, in lines 47 and 48, the words “the petition in his own name” and
656	656	633inserting in place thereof the following words:- a petition.
657	657	634 SECTION 111. Section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
658	658	635striking out, in line 3, the word “him”.
659	659	636 SECTION 112. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
660	660	637amended by striking out, in line 12, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in place
661	661	638thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary. 32 of 43
662	662	639 SECTION 113. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
663	663	640amended by striking out, in lines 15 and 19, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each
664	664	641instance, the following words:- the secretary.
665	665	642 SECTION 114. Section 6A of said chapter 115 is hereby repealed.
666	666	643 SECTION 115. Section 6B of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
667	667	644is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 19, 28 and 35, the words “the sum of $2,000” and
668	668	645inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,250.
669	669	646 SECTION 116. Said section 6B of said chapter 115 is hereby further amended by striking
670	670	647out the figure “$2,250”, inserted by section 101, each time it appears, and inserting in place
671	671	648thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500.
672	672	649 SECTION 117. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official
673	673	650Edition, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 20, 29 and 35 and 36 the words “two
674	674	651equal payments on August and February 1” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the
675	675	652following words:- “1 payment on August 1.”
676	676	653 SECTION 118. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
677	677	654amended by striking out, in lines 21 and 30, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
678	678	655instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.
679	679	656 SECTION 119. Section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
680	680	657striking out, in line 4, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- The
681	681	658burial agent. 33 of 43
682	682	659 SECTION 120. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
683	683	660amended by striking out, in line 8, the words “his wife, or his widow” and inserting in place
684	684	661thereof the following words:- the veteran’s spouse, or widowed person.
685	685	662 SECTION 121. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
686	686	663amended by striking out, in line 10, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
687	687	664words:- the burial agent.
688	688	665 SECTION 122. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
689	689	666amended by striking out, in lines 12 and 14, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each
690	690	667instance, the following words:- the burial agent.
691	691	668 SECTION 123. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
692	692	669amended by striking out, in line 17 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
693	693	670instance, the following words:- the person’s.
694	694	671 SECTION 124. Section 8 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
695	695	672striking out, in line 23, the words “widow, or widower” and inserting in place thereof the
696	696	673following words:- widowed person.
697	697	674 SECTION 125. Section 9 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
698	698	675striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- The mayor
699	699	676of every city and the select board of every town shall appoint a resident of such city or town who
700	700	677shall be a veteran as a veterans’ graves officer for a term to be determined by the appointing
701	701	678authority; provided, however, that said term shall not exceed five years; provided further, that if
702	702	679no qualified, willing and able veteran seeks such appointment, a spouse of a veteran or a member
703	703	680of a Gold Star family may be appointed as a veterans' graves officer. 34 of 43
704	704	681 SECTION 126. Section 10 of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
705	705	682is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the
706	706	683following word:- such director’s.
707	707	684 SECTION 127. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
708	708	685amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32, the words “duties of his office” and inserting in
709	709	686place thereof the following words:- office’s duties.
710	710	687 SECTION 128. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
711	711	688amended by striking out, in line 32, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
712	712	689words:- the director’s.
713	713	690 SECTION 129. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
714	714	691amended by striking out, in line 37, the words “his duties as treasurer of the district” and
715	715	692inserting in place thereof the following words:- the district treasurer’s duties.
716	716	693 SECTION 130. Section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
717	717	694striking out, in line 2, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the
718	718	695mayors.
719	719	696 SECTION 131. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
720	720	697amended by striking out, in lines 3 and 4, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
721	721	698following word:- chair.
722	722	699 SECTION 132. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
723	723	700amended by striking out, in line 5, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
724	724	701words:- the town manager’s. 35 of 43
725	725	702 SECTION 133. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
726	726	703amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
727	727	704words:- the treasurer’s.
728	728	705 SECTION 134. Section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
729	729	706striking out, in line 4, the words “he, and his duly accredited agents,” and inserting in place
730	730	707thereof the following words:- the director and the director’s agents.
731	731	708 SECTION 135. Said section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
732	732	709amended by striking out, in line 11, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
733	733	710word:- a.
734	734	711 SECTION 136. Section 16 of said chapter 115, inserted by section 53 of chapter 126 of
735	735	712the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by inserting after the first sentence the following sentence:-
736	736	713The board shall ensure that veterans receive state-based veteran benefits if they receive: (i) an
737	737	714other than honorable discharge on the basis of sex, race, color, religious creed, national origin,
738	738	715age, genetic information, ancestry, marital status or disability; or (ii) any United States
739	739	716Department of Veterans Affairs category eligible for a discharge upgrade, including, but not
740	740	717limited to, mental health conditions, military sexual trauma and traumatic brain injury. The
741	741	718executive office of veterans’ services shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this
742	742	719section.
743	743	720 SECTION 137. Said section 16 of said chapter 115, as so inserted, is hereby further
744	744	721amended by striking out, in lines 37, 40 and 50, the word “department” and inserting in place
745	745	722thereof the following words:- executive office. 36 of 43
746	746	723 SECTION 138. Section 16 of said chapter 115, inserted by section 18 of chapter 154 of
747	747	724the acts of 2022, is hereby repealed.
748	748	725 SECTION 139. Said chapter 115 is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
749	749	726 Section 18. (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of public health
750	750	727and the adjutant general of the Massachusetts national guard, shall contact all members of the
751	751	728Massachusetts national guard and all known veterans and members of the United States armed
752	752	729forces residing in the commonwealth who may be eligible to participate in the United States
753	753	730Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, including, but
754	754	731not limited, those who may have served in: (i) Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi
755	755	732Freedom or Operation New Dawn; (ii) Djibouti, Africa on or after September 11, 2001; (iii)
756	756	733Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001; (iv) Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert
757	757	734Storm; or (v) in the Southwest Asia theater of operations on or after August 2, 1990. Veterans or
758	758	735service members contacted shall be encouraged to join the United States Department of Veterans
759	759	736Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry and shall be provided with contact
760	760	737information for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs’ Airborne Hazards and Open
761	761	738Burn Pit Registry and a copy of the informational pamphlet created by the commissioner of
762	762	739public health pursuant to subsection (b) of section 244 of chapter 111.
763	763	740 (b) The commissioner shall create a database of self-identifying service members and
764	764	741veterans who have been exposed to open burn pits or other airborne hazards, which shall include
765	765	742the name, address, electronic address, phone number, location and period of service and other
766	766	743information as deemed necessary. Such information shall be used only for the purposes of
767	767	744communicating information about exposure to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by 37 of 43
768	768	745open burn pits or other airborne hazards to service members and veterans. The database,
769	769	746materials or other information shall be confidential and privileged, shall not be subject to chapter
770	770	74766, or clause Twenty-sixth of section 7 of chapter 4 and shall not be subject to subpoena,
771	771	748discovery or introduction into evidence in any private civil action.
772	772	749 SECTION 140. Section 9 of chapter 115A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
773	773	750Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “home in the city of
774	774	751Chelsea” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes.
775	775	752 SECTION 141. Section 12 of said chapter 115A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
776	776	753striking out, in line 1, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
777	777	754executive office.
778	778	755 SECTION 142. Said section 12 of said chapter 115A, as so appearing, is hereby further
779	779	756amended by striking out, in line 22, the words “department of veterans” and inserting in place
780	780	757thereof the following words:- executive office of veterans’.
781	781	758 SECTION 143. Chapter 115A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out
782	782	759section 1, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following
783	783	760section:-
784	784	761 Section 1. A person who is a veteran as defined in section 1 of chapter 115 shall be
785	785	762entitled to out-patient treatment at, admission to and hospitalization in a state-operated veterans'
786	786	763home, subject to the provisions of section 3.
787	787	764 SECTION 144. Section 3 of chapter 115B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
788	788	765hereby amended by striking out, in line 16 to 18, inclusive, the words “home in the city of 38 of 43
789	789	766Chelsea; and the chair of the board of trustees of the veterans’ home in the city of Holyoke” and
790	790	767inserting in place thereof the following words:- homes
791	791	768 SECTION 145. Section 1 of chapter 15E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
792	792	769Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 6, the word “sections” and inserting
793	793	770in place thereof the following word:- chapters.
794	794	771 SECTION 146. Section 51B of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
795	795	772hereby amended by striking out, in lines 17 and 18, the words “and (vi) all other pertinent facts
796	796	773or matters” and inserting in place thereof the following:- (vi) the military status of the parents,
797	797	774guardian or caregiver of the child and, if applicable, of the spouse or intimate partner of the
798	798	775parent, guardian or caregiver of the child; and (vii) all other pertinent facts or matters.
799	799	776 SECTION 147. Said section 51B of said chapter 119 is hereby further amended by
800	800	777adding the following subsections:-
801	801	778 (s) The department shall provide notice to appropriate military authorities about an
802	802	779allegation of an individual subject to a 51A report with a military status in accordance with
803	803	780subsection (t) of section 51B.
804	804	781 (t)(i) For the purposes of this section, “family advocacy program” shall mean the program
805	805	782established by the United States Department of Defense for the prevention of and response to
806	806	783child abuse and neglect and domestic abuse and intimate partner violence in military families.(ii)
807	807	784The commissioner shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the family advocacy
808	808	785program at military installations located in the commonwealth with respect to 51A reports and
809	809	786data collected for the investigation pursuant to subsection (b) of section 51B and reported
810	810	787pursuant to military status pursuant to subsection(s) of section 51B. The memorandum of 39 of 43
811	811	788understanding shall establish procedures and protocols for matters, including, but not limited to:
812	812	789(a) identifying an individual subject to a 51A report as military personnel; (b) identifying
813	813	790appropriate circumstances for reporting to the family advocacy program without reducing the
814	814	791likelihood of reporting or creating undue risk to the health or wellbeing of the spouse, intimate
815	815	792partner, caregiver or child of the military personnel; (c) reporting to the family advocacy
816	816	793program when an investigation implicating military personnel has been initiated; and (d)
817	817	794maintaining confidentiality requirements under state and federal law.
818	818	795 SECTION 148. The second paragraph of section 39A of chapter 129 of the General
819	819	796Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word, “auctions” the following
820	820	797sentence:- “,or to a professional service dog organization accredited by Assistance Dogs
821	821	798International and headquartered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
822	822	799 SECTION 149. (a) There shall be a special commission to study post-traumatic stress
823	823	800disorder in the commonwealth.
824	824	801 (b) The commission shall consist of: the secretary of health and human services, or a
825	825	802designee, who shall serve as chair; the secretary of public safety and security, or a designee; the
826	826	803secretary of veterans’ services, or a designee; the commissioner of mental health, or a designee;
827	827	804the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery;
828	828	805a representative of the National Guard appointed by the adjutant general of the Massachusetts
829	829	806National Guard; and 9 members to be appointed by the secretary of health and human services, 1
830	830	807of whom shall be an expert from the Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders Laboratory at
831	831	808Harvard University in consultation with their relevant specialty chapters, 1 of whom shall be a
832	832	809representative of Boston Children's Hospital, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the 40 of 43
833	833	810Massachusetts Police Association, Inc., 1 of whom shall be a representative of Jane Doe Inc.:
834	834	811The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, 1 of whom shall be
835	835	812a representative from Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Inc., 1 of
836	836	813whom shall be a representative of Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall
837	837	814be a representative of the Massachusetts Corrections Officers Federated Union, 1 of whom shall
838	838	815be a representative of a research advocacy or support organization primarily serving individuals
839	839	816with post-traumatic stress disorder and 1 of whom shall be a representative of Massachusetts
840	840	817General Hospital Home Base program.
841	841	818 (c) The commission shall: (i) assess and summarize the advances made in research on and
842	842	819treatment and diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; (ii) assess and summarize the advances
843	843	820made in access to care for individuals with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; (iii)
844	844	821assess and summarize research services and support activities for post-traumatic stress disorder
845	845	822across the commonwealth, including coordination of the commonwealth's activities and
846	846	823programs with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder; and (iv) develop a comprehensive
847	847	824strategic plan to improve health outcomes for individuals with a diagnosis of post-traumatic
848	848	825stress disorder including, but not limited to, recommendations to: (A) advance research on post-
849	849	826traumatic stress disorder; (B) improve the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder; (C)
850	850	827improve public awareness and recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder; (D) improve mental
851	851	828health care delivery for individuals with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; (E)
852	852	829improve the early and accurate diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; and (F) systematically
853	853	830advance the full spectrum of biomedical research on post-traumatic stress disorder.
854	854	831 (d) The commission shall submit its findings and recommendations to the clerks of the
855	855	832house of representatives and senate not later than July 1, 2025. 41 of 43
856	856	833 SECTION 150. (a) The secretary of veterans’ services, in coordination with the executive
857	857	834office of health and human services, shall convene a working group to review alternative
858	858	835therapies for mental health treatments for veterans. The working group shall: (i) study whether
859	859	836psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed
860	860	837mental health disorders; (ii) evaluate literature, research trials and expert opinions to determine if
861	861	838psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes regarding mental health treatment for
862	862	839veterans; and (iii) issue recommendations regarding the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat
863	863	840veterans with mental health disorders in the commonwealth. As used in this section,
864	864	841“psychedelic therapy” shall mean the use of psilocybin, ketamine, or 3,4-
865	865	842methylenedioxymethamphetamine under the direction of a health care provider to treat mental
866	866	843health disorders.
867	867	844 (b) The secretary shall appoint the following members to the working group: 2 members
868	868	845who shall represent medical centers or hospitals in the commonwealth that serve veterans; 2
869	869	846members who shall represent health insurance companies; 2 members who shall represent
870	870	847veterans’ services organizations; 1 member who shall represent an organization currently
871	871	848studying the subject matter of alternative therapies for mental health treatment of veterans; 1
872	872	849member who shall represent the Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics at Massachusetts
873	873	850General Hospital; and such other members with experience in behavioral health or veterans’
874	874	851services as the secretary deems necessary. The secretary shall designate a chair of the working
875	875	852group from the membership of the group.
876	876	853 (c) Not later than January 1, 2025, the working group shall file a report of its findings and
877	877	854any recommendations with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint 42 of 43
878	878	855committee on veterans and federal affairs and the joint committee on mental health, substance
879	879	856use and recovery.
880	880	857 SECTION 151. The executive office of veterans’ services, in consultation with the
881	881	858department of revenue, shall study property tax abatements and exemptions for veterans and
882	882	859surviving spouses pursuant to chapter 59 of the General Laws. The study shall include, but not be
883	883	860limited to: (i) veteran property tax exemptions in other states; (ii) the utilization of a sliding scale
884	884	861based on the percentage of a veteran’s disability for the awarding of such exemption to veterans
885	885	862and spouses; (iii) determination of the relation of tax abatements and exemptions to United States
886	886	863Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating; (iv) the financial impact these tax exemptions
887	887	864have on veterans with disabilities; and (v) any anticipated monetary cost that the exemptions may
888	888	865cause. The office shall file a report of its findings and recommendations with the joint committee
889	889	866on veterans and federal affairs, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the
890	890	867senate and house committees on ways and means not later than December 31, 2024.
891	891	868 SECTION 152. There shall be a special commission to study and develop proposals for
892	892	869ways to improve the quality of life of veterans in the commonwealth, including, but not limited
893	893	870to, employment opportunities for veterans. The commission shall collaborate with veterans’
894	894	871organizations in the commonwealth to develop such proposals. The commission shall consist of:
895	895	872the secretary of veterans’ services or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the veteran advocate or
896	896	873a designee; a representative from BRAVE for Veterans, Inc.; 2 persons appointed by the
897	897	874governor with experience in veterans’ advocacy; 3 persons appointed by the senate president
898	898	875with experiencing working with veterans; 1 person appointed by the speaker of the house of
899	899	876representatives who is a veteran or the spouse or family member of a veteran; 1 person appointed
900	900	877by the senate minority leader who is a veteran or the spouse or family member of a veteran; and 43 of 43
901	901	878an attorney with experience in veterans issues in the commonwealth, appointed by the minority
902	902	879leader of the house of representatives.
903	903	880 Not later than December 31, 2024, the commission shall submit a report of its findings to
904	904	881the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs, the clerks of the senate and house of
905	905	882representatives and the senate and house committees on ways and means.
906	906	883 SECTION 153. Sections 25 and 27 shall take effect on taxable years beginning on
907	907	884January 1, 2024.
908	908	885 SECTION 154. Sections 29 and 33 to 38, inclusive, shall take effect 6 months after the
909	909	886effective date of this act.
910	910	887 SECTION 155. Sections 72 and 115 shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
911	911	888 SECTION 156. Section 116 shall take effect on July 1, 2025.