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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 535 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2345
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael F. Rush
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the appointment of veterans agents and service officers.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Michael F. RushNorfolk and SuffolkPaul McMurtry11th Norfolk2/2/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 535 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2345
By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2345) of Michael F. Rush and Paul
McMurtry for legislation relative to the appointment of veterans agents and service officers.
Veterans and Federal Affairs.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2424 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to the appointment of veterans agents and service officers.
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 3 of Chapter 115 of the General Laws, is hereby amended by
2deleting the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following:- The Mayor of each city,
3except Boston, and the selectmen of each town, shall appoint a veterans' agent/veterans' service
4officer to act for him or them in the disbursement of veterans' benefits by such city or town;
5provided, however, that in each town having a part time veterans' agent/veterans' service officer
6the town clerk shall receive applications and assist applicants for veterans' benefits, and shall
7submit said applications to the veterans' agent/veterans' service officer. Two or more contiguous
8towns may, by vote of the selectmen, and subject to the approval of the commissioner, appoint
9one full time veterans' agent/veterans' service officer and such additional staff as necessary, and
10may apportion the payment of compensation among such towns. The appointment of a veterans' 2 of 2
11agent/veterans' service officer shall not create a civil service position. Any person who is
12appointed to the position of veterans' agent/veterans' service officer and certified by the
13Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services as a trained veterans' agent/veterans' service
14officer and who has held such position for not less than three years, shall not be involuntarily
15separated and shall have the same rights and protection granted to any veteran under section 9A
16of chapter 30 of the General Laws, notwithstanding that his or her prior appointments were for a
17fixed term.