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