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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1825 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2352
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 ensuring the fair treatment of military service members and veterans.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Michael F. RushNorfolk and SuffolkPaul McMurtry11th Norfolk2/2/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1825 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2352
By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2352) of Michael F. Rush and Paul
McMurtry for legislation to ensure the fair treatment of military service members and veterans.
Veterans and Federal Affairs.
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 ensuring the fair treatment of military service members and veterans.
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 1 of chapter 12A of the General Laws is hereby amended by
2inserting after the definition of “Contractor” the following definition:-
3 ''Uniformed services'', shall have the same meaning as in 38 U.S.C. section 4303(16) and
4shall include: (i) the armed forces of the commonwealth, including the state defense force or
5similar organization composed as permitted by law; (ii) the state staff when engaged in duty
6under this chapter or Title 32 of the United States Code; or (iii) the armed forces of another state
7or territory when ordered to active duty under appropriate authority.
8 SECTION 2. Said chapter 12A is hereby further amended by inserting after section 7 the
9following section:-
10 Section 71/2. (a) There shall be a veteran employment and reemployment rights division
11within the office of the inspector general to assist veterans and service members with
12employment disputes. There shall be within the division: (i) intake officers to serve as the 2 of 2
13designated initial point of contact for veterans and service members within the division; (ii)
14investigators to conduct the division’s formal inquiries or investigations, as necessary; and (iii)
15mediators to act as an intermediary between veterans and service members and employers.
16 (b) Under the direction of the office of the inspector general, the veteran employment and
17reemployment rights division shall: (i) employ intake officers to meet with veterans and service
18members, gather preliminary evidence and facts from the service member or veteran, and gather
19preliminary evidence on military service, employment, and reemployment; (ii) employ
20investigators to contact employers and military components for the purpose of gathering
21pertinent evidence; (iii) conclude whether there was improper conduct in violation of Sections
224301 to 4333, inclusive, of title 38 of the United States Code, the Uniformed Services
23Employment and Reemployment Rights Act or the General Laws; and (iv) employ mediators to
24contact the employer and veteran to offer mediation to resolve disputes and correct any improper
25conduct.
26 (c) If mediation under this section is unsuccessful, the Office of the Inspector General
27shall refer the case to the attorney general for further action.