SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2817
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
SENATE, June 10, 2024.
The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the House Bill
honoring, empowering, and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans (House, No. 4671);
reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment striking out all after the
enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of Senate document numbered 2817.
For the committee,
Michael J. Rodrigues 2 of 30
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2817
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
1 SECTION 1. Section 34 of chapter 2 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the word “department” and
3inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.
4 SECTION 2. Section 41 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
5amended by striking out, in lines 47 and 94, the word “department” and inserting in place
6thereof, in each instance, the following words:- executive office.
7 SECTION 3. Subsection (d) of section 16DD of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so
8appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 29, the second time it appears, the word
9“department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.
10 SECTION 4. Section 105 of said chapter 6A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
11striking out, in line 1, the words “a department” and inserting in place thereof the following
12words:- an executive office.
13 SECTION 5. Section 4G of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
14amended by striking out, in lines 7 and 8, the words “the department of veterans’ services,”. 3 of 30
15 SECTION 6. Section 61 of said chapter 7 is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 124
16and 125, as so appearing, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following
17words:- executive office.
18 SECTION 7. Section 78 of chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
19inserting after the word "Reserve", in line 11, as so appearing, the following words:- , United
20States Space Force.
21 SECTION 8. Section 17 of chapter 11 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
22amended by striking out, in line 21, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the
23following words:- executive office.
24 SECTION 9. Section 1G of chapter 15 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
25amended by inserting after the word “students”, in line 86, the following words:- , including
26military-connected students.
27 SECTION 10. Chapter 15D of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
28section 7 the following section:-
29 Section 7A. For the purposes of this section, “military installation” shall mean a base,
30camp, post, station, yard, center or other activity under the jurisdiction of the secretary of a
31United States military department or, in the case of an activity in a foreign country, under the
32operational control of the secretary of a United States military department or the United States
33Secretary of Defense, regardless of the duration of operational control.
34 Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, sections 6
35and 7 shall not apply to a child care provider on a military installation or a facility licensed or 4 of 30
36certified as a family child care provider by a branch of the United States Department of Defense
37or by the United States Coast Guard.
38 SECTION 11. Section 1 of chapter 15E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
39Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 6, the word “sections” and inserting
40in place thereof the following word:- chapters.
41 SECTION 12. Said section 1 of said chapter 15E, as so appearing, is hereby further
42amended by inserting after the word “Force”, in line 69, the following words:- , Space Force.
43 SECTION 13. Section 2EEEEE of chapter 29 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
44hereby amended by striking out, in line 14, the words “department of veterans” and inserting in
45place thereof the following words:- executive office of veterans’.
46 SECTION 14. Section 49 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
47amended by striking out, in lines 14 and 15, the words “home in the city of Chelsea” and
48inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes.
49 SECTION 15. Paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General
50Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the fourth subparagraph and inserting
51in place thereof the following subparagraph:-
52 Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law, rule or
53regulation to the contrary, a member in service of a retirement system as defined in section 1
54shall be provided written notice by the retirement board upon entry into service that if they
55qualify as a veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States, they shall be entitled to
56credit for active service in the armed services of the United States; provided, however, that such 5 of 30
57active service shall not be credited until such member, prior to or within 1 year of vesting
58pursuant to this chapter, has paid into the annuity savings fund of such system, in 1 sum or in
59installments, upon such terms and conditions as the board may prescribe, makeup payments, for
60each year of creditable service sought, of an amount equal to 10 per cent of the regular annual
61compensation of the member when said member entered the retirement system; provided further,
62that such creditable service shall not be construed to include service for more than 4 years; and
63provided further, that such creditable service shall not be allowed for any period of active service
64for which said veteran has received credit pursuant to this paragraph. This paragraph shall apply
65to national guard and active reserve personnel, both former and present. Creditable service time,
66both enlisted and commissioned, may be applied toward retirement on a ratio of 5 years of
67national guard service or 5 years of active reserve service substitutable for each year of active
68service. National guard and active reserve personnel shall not be precluded from making said
69purchase if they qualify as a veteran after vesting or if they reach the maximum of 4 years of
70eligible service purchase after vesting and qualifying as a veteran; provided, however, that they
71enter into a purchase agreement within 5 years of the last occurring event.
72 SECTION 16. Section 15 of chapter 33 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
73amended by adding the following paragraph:-
74 (j) There shall be a military spouse liaison appointed by the adjutant general who shall
75conduct outreach to and advocate on behalf of military spouses residing in the commonwealth.
76The duties of the military spouse liaison shall include, but not be limited to: (i) providing
77assistance and information to military spouses seeking professional licenses and credentials or
78other employment the commonwealth; (ii) coordinating research on issues facing military
79spouses; (iii) creating informational materials to assist military spouses and their families; (iv) 6 of 30
80providing recommendations to assist spouses in accessing high quality child care; (v) developing
81resources in coordination with military installations to increase access to high quality child care
82for military families; and (vi) assisting military spouses with finding employment in relevant
83sectors.
84 SECTION 17. Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
85amended by inserting after clause Twenty-second H the following 2 clauses:-
86 Twenty-second I. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the
87commissioner of revenue to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, an abatement
88granted pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C,
89Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be increased annually by an amount equal to the
90increase in the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index for such year. The
91department of revenue shall annually inform each city or town that accepts this clause of the
92amount of such increase.
93 Twenty-second J. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the
94commissioner of revenue to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, a taxpayer
95who otherwise qualifies for an exemption pursuant to clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A,
96Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be granted an
97additional exemption the amount of which shall not exceed 100 per cent of the exemption for
98which the taxpayer qualifies, as may be determined by the legislative body of the city or town,
99subject to its charter, not later than the beginning of the fiscal year to which the additional
100exemption shall commence; provided, however, that the additional exemption shall be uniform
101for all taxpayers who qualify for an exemption under said clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second 7 of 30
102A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F. Once accepted,
103the amount of the exemption shall continue until amended by the legislative body of the city or
104town. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the exemption shall be in
105addition to any exemption allowable pursuant to this section; provided, however, the taxable
106valuation of the property receiving an exemption pursuant to this clause, after all applicable
107exemptions, shall not be reduced below 10 per cent of its full and fair cash valuation, except
108through the applicability of clause Eighteenth. Acceptance of this clause by a city or town shall
109not increase the amount that the city or town otherwise would have been reimbursed by the
110commonwealth pursuant to the clause. The additional exemption contained within this clause
111shall not be implemented in any year in which the city or town has also accepted section 5C1/2.
112 SECTION 18. Subsection (u) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as so
113appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1113 and 1130, the figure “$2,000” and
114inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500.
115 SECTION 19. Section 38GG of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
116hereby amended by striking out, in lines 8 and 24, the figure “$2,000” and inserting in place
117thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500.
118 SECTION 20. Section 6 of chapter 64H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
119amended by striking out subsection (u) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
120 (u) Sale of a motor vehicle purchased by and for the use of a person who has suffered
121loss, or permanent loss of use, of both legs or both arms or 1 leg and 1 arm or by and for the use
122of a veteran who has been determined to be permanently disabled by the medical advisory board
123established under section 8C of chapter 90 and has been issued a plate displaying the words 8 of 30
124“Disabled Veteran” or a Purple Heart distinctive registration plate pursuant to section 2J of said
125chapter 90; provided, however, that this exemption shall apply to 1 motor vehicle owned and
126registered only for the personal, noncommercial use of such person. A person who is otherwise
127eligible for this exemption and who was previously issued a Purple Heart distinctive registration
128plate shall not be required to forfeit such plate to remain eligible for this exemption.
129 SECTION 21. Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
130following section:-
131 Section 38. (a) For the purposes of this section, “military-connected student” shall mean a
132student who is an unemancipated person whose parent or guardian: (i) is a current or reserve
133member of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United
134States Coast Guard, United States Space Force, Army Nurse Corps, Navy Nurse Corps, United
135States Air Force, Air National Guard or Army National Guard; or (ii) a member of a military or
136reserve force under clause (i) who was killed in the line of duty.
137 (b) A school district shall provide appropriate support services to a military-connected
138student if their parent or guardian is called or ordered to active duty pursuant to Title 10 or 32 of
139the United States Code and said parent or guardian notifies the district of such active duty or a
140student’s parent or guardian is a member of a military or reserve force and was killed in the line
141of duty. The school district shall provide such student with informational materials and resources
142and access to a: (i) certified school counselor; (ii) certified school psychologist; or (iii) school
143social worker.
144 (c) The department shall coordinate with the military division of the commonwealth to
145carry out subsection (b), including posting information about military family resources to the 9 of 30
146department’s website and providing informational materials for use by school districts to inform
147parents and guardians of the supports available under said subsection (b).
148 (d) A school district may notify a teacher of the enrollment of a military-connected
149student at the request of the military-connected student’s parent or guardian to provide the
150teacher with the opportunity to monitor a military-connected student’s level of academic
151engagement and provide support as needed.
152 SECTION 22. Section 4 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
153Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 32, the word “department”, the
154second time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.
155 SECTION 23. Said section 4 of said chapter 71, as so appearing, is hereby further
156amended by striking out, in line 39, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the
157following words:- executive office.
158 SECTION 24. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking
159out, in lines 172 to 186, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “pleasure passenger vehicles
160owned by veterans who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration,
161has been determined to have a service-connected disability rating of 60 per cent or greater and by
162reason of service in the armed forces of the United States have suffered loss or permanent loss of
163use of one or both feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent
164impairment of vision of both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less
165in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a
166field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter
167of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than twenty degrees in the better eye, or 10 of 30
168any other disability or handicap of such veterans which may be determined by the medical
169advisory board as established by section eight C, and”.
170 SECTION 25. The seventh paragraph of said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so
171appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the third and fourth sentences.
172 SECTION 26. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking
173out, in lines 246 to 258, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “and the words “Disabled Veteran”
174for a pleasure passenger vehicle or a pick-up truck owned or leased by and used by a veteran
175who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration, by reason of service
176in the armed forces of the United States has suffered loss or permanent loss of use of one or both
177feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent impairment of vision of
178both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with
179corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which
180the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field
181subtends an angular distance no greater that 20 degrees in the better eye, or any other disability
182or handicap”.
183 SECTION 27. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
184the twelfth paragraph, as so appearing.
185 SECTION 28. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
186the fifteenth to seventeenth paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.
187 SECTION 29. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out
188the nineteenth to twenty-second paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing. 11 of 30
189 SECTION 30. Said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2I the
190following section:-
191 Section 2J. (a) The registrar shall design and maintain a series of distinct and individual
192license plates recognizing those who have served in the military and for those who deserve
193special recognition relating to or deriving from military service as provided herein.
194 (b) An individual that meets the definition of a veteran under clause forty-third of section
1957 of chapter 4 or section 1 of chapter 115 or who is eligible for annuity provided under section
1966C of said chapter 115, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of such status as determined
197by the registrar, shall be eligible for and entitled to a veteran license plate bearing the words
198“VETERAN”.
199 (c) The series of distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who have served
200in the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military
201service shall include license plates for:
202 (i) veterans ranked with a disability rating of not less than 60 per cent by the United
203States Department of Veterans Affairs, including those who have suffered the loss of a limb,
204permanent visual acuity loss of 20/200 in an eye, or are otherwise determined to be disabled or
205handicapped by the medical advisory board established in section 8C;
206 (ii) veterans who have been captured and incarcerated by foreign forces in conflict or
207held as prisoners of war;
208 (iii) veterans who are members of the Legion of Valor of the United States of America
209Inc.; 12 of 30
210 (iv) veterans awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor shall be entitled to a distinctive
211plate recognizing that status, including, subject to availability, the use of the initials of the award
212recipient followed by CMH signifying their award.
213 (v) veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal shall be entitled to a distinctive plate
214indicating that status which shall include the words “COMBAT WOUNDED”;
215 (vi) survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate
216reflecting that status and bearing the word “VETERAN”;
217 (vii) residents of the commonwealth serving in any branch of the national guard shall be
218entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status;
219 (viii) residents of the commonwealth awarded the medal of liberty pursuant to section
22067A of chapter 33 shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status; and
221 (ix) The next of kin of a member of the armed forces, in possession of a Gold Star Lapel
222Button under the regulations of the United States Secretary of Defense, shall be entitled to a
223Gold Star Family distinctive plate. Said button shall not be an eligibility requirement for those
224who have presented other satisfactory evidence of their status, as determined by the registrar.
225 (d) A veteran who has served in the armed forces and is entitled to a veteran license plate
226shall also be entitled to the issuance of a decal or emblem denoting their branch of service.
227Residents of the commonwealth who are veterans and who identify as female shall be entitled to
228a distinctive decal or emblem, which the registry of motor vehicles shall design and issue.
229 (e) The following individuals shall be entitled to a distinctive plate, decal or emblem
230denoting their award status: 13 of 30
231 (i) owners of private vehicles awarded 1 of the following decorations for valor or
232gallantry: (i) the Silver Star; (ii) the Bronze Star; (iii) the Distinguished Flying Cross; (iv) the
233Distinguished Service Cross; (v) the Navy Cross; (vi) the Air Force Cross; or (vii) any other
234similar award designated by the secretary of veterans’ services; and
235 (ii) residents of the commonwealth who qualify as a Gold Star parent, child, sibling,
236grandchild or spouse.
237 (f) Veterans entitled to a distinctive plate shall be entitled to have a distinctive emblem or
238decal reflecting service in Operation Enduring Freedom or the receipt of the Iraq Campaign
239Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, a Persian Gulf Campaign Ribbon, the Armed Forces
240Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal,
241the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Kosovo
242Campaign Medal or the Prisoner of War Medal.
243 (g) A person who is widowed by a veteran who received any special recognition or status
244pursuant to this section shall not be required to forfeit their distinctive license plate, decal or
245emblem unless they cancel or fail to renew the registration for said license plate. If a veteran was
246eligible for special recognition or status under this section but did not apply for such special
247recognition or status before their death, the person widowed by said deceased veteran may apply
248on behalf of the deceased veteran for special recognition or status pursuant to this section.
249 (h) Special recognition or status pursuant to this section shall entitle the recipient to not
250more than 1 distinctive license plate, decal or emblem; provided, however, that such recipient
251may opt to have the distinctive plate, decal or emblem issued in a form suitable for use on a
252motorcycle. 14 of 30
253 (i) Any plate to which an individual is entitled pursuant to this section shall be issued
254without fee other than the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles and
255motorcycles. State-operated veterans’ homes shall be reimbursed annually from the General
256Fund for any loss of revenue for any license plate, decal or emblem provided free of charge
257pursuant to this section.
258 SECTION 31. Section 244 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as inserted by section 14
259of chapter 154 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2, 28, the second
260time it appears, 35 and 38, the word “commissioner” and inserting in place thereof, in each
261instance, the following word:- secretary.
262 SECTION 32. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, as so inserted, is hereby further
263amended by striking out, in line 43, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the
264following words:- executive office.
265 SECTION 33. Section 1 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
266Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “'Dependent” and inserting
267in place thereof the following definition:-
268 “Dependent”, the spouse, widowed person, child or parent of a veteran, including any
269person who stood in the relationship of a parent to such veteran for the 5 years preceding the
270commencement of the veteran’s wartime service; provided, however, that no child of a veteran
271who is more than 18 years of age shall be deemed a dependent, unless the child meets the criteria
272established for emancipation pursuant to section 28 of chapter 208 or section 9 of chapter 209C
273or unless the child is mentally or physically unable to support themselves after attaining the age
274of 23. 15 of 30
275 SECTION 34. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
276amended by striking out, in line 25, the word “his”, each time it appears, and inserting in place
277thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the applicant’s.
278 SECTION 35. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
279amended by striking out, in line 26, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
280words:- the applicant.
281 SECTION 36. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
282amended by striking out the definition of “Veteran” and inserting in place thereof the following
283definition:-
284 “Veteran”, a person who: (a) is a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of
285chapter 4; (b) served on active duty in the armed forces for not less than 90 days and whose last
286discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; (c) served on active duty,
287including active duty solely for training purposes, in the armed forces and was awarded a
288service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than
289dishonorable; (d) served in the national guard or as a reservist in any branch of the United States
290Armed Forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was awarded a service-
291connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (e)
292is determined to be a veteran according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
293provided, however, that in any case, the service of such person qualified under clause (a) through
294clause (e), inclusive, was entered into or served in the commonwealth or such person has resided
295in the commonwealth for not less than 1 day, except for the purpose of determining the
296residential eligibility of a deceased veteran’s dependents. 16 of 30
297 SECTION 37. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
298amended by striking out, in lines 54 and 55, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of
299section seven of chapter four,”.
300 SECTION 38. Section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
301striking out, in lines 1 and 2, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of
302chapter four”.
303 SECTION 39. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
304amended by striking out, in lines 7 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
305instance, the following word:- the secretary’s.
306 SECTION 40. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
307amended by striking out, in lines 8, 12, 20, 66, 82, 103, 123, 131, 139 and 150, the word “He”
308and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-The secretary.
309 SECTION 41. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
310amended by striking out, in lines 12, 63, 71, 89, 98, 113, 118 and 119, the word “him” and
311inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
312 SECTION 42. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
313amended by striking out, in lines 13, 14, 61, 118, 125, 129, 134 and 142, the word “he” and
314inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
315 SECTION 43. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
316amended by striking out, in line 39, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
317words:- the person’s. 17 of 30
318 SECTION 44. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
319amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
320words:- a party’s.
321 SECTION 45. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
322amended by striking out the sixth paragraph.
323 SECTION 46. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
324amended by striking out, in line 82, the words “him or by his” and inserting in place thereof the
325following words:- the secretary or the secretary’s.
326 SECTION 47. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
327amended by striking out, in line 98, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
328words:- the applicant’s.
329 SECTION 48. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
330amended by striking out, in lines 153 and 156, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in
331each instance, the following word:- a.
332 SECTION 49. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
333amended by striking out, in line 155, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
334following word:- chair.
335 SECTION 50. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
336amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-
337 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a medical assistance benefit in
338addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the medical assistance 18 of 30
339benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded resources before
340seeking aid under this paragraph. The medical assistance benefit shall include, but not be limited
341to, covering the cost of necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions and other such
342treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation
343or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
344 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a behavioral health assistance
345benefit in addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the behavioral
346health assistance benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded
347resources before seeking aid under this paragraph. The behavioral health assistance benefit shall
348include, but not be limited to, coverage for the cost of those necessary outpatient behavioral
349health assessments, evaluations, visits, prescriptions and other such treatment as the secretary
350shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation or otherwise, make
351provision to keep the program efficient and economical.
352 The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a dental assistance benefit in
353addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the dental assistance benefit
354shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded resources before seeking
355aid under this paragraph. The dental assistance benefit shall include, but not be limited to,
356coverage for the cost of those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions and other such
357treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation
358or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical. 19 of 30
359 SECTION 51. Section 2B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
360striking out, in lines 7 and 8, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the
361following word:- a.
362 SECTION 52. Section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
363striking out, in line 17, the word “his”.
364 SECTION 53. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
365amended by striking out, in line 18, the words “in behalf of a civil war” and inserting in place
366thereof the following words:- on behalf of a.
367 SECTION 54. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
368amended by striking out, in lines 18 and 19, the words “his wife or widow” and inserting in place
369thereof the following words:- a veteran’s spouse or widowed person.
370 SECTION 55. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
371amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
372words:- the secretary.
373 SECTION 56. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
374amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
375words:- the agent’s.
376 SECTION 57. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
377amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
378words:- the veteran. 20 of 30
379 SECTION 58. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
380amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
381words:- the veteran’s.
382 SECTION 59. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
383amended by striking out, in lines 25 and 27, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in
384each instance, the following words:- the agent.
385 SECTION 60. Section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
386striking out, in lines 4, 5, 8 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
387instance, the following words:- the applicants.
388 SECTION 61. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
389amended by striking out, in line 14, the word “widow” and inserting in place thereof the
390following words:- widowed person.
391 SECTION 62. Section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
392striking out, in lines 2 and 55, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the
393following words:- the veteran.
394 SECTION 63. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
395amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 10, inclusive, the words “unless he has actually resided
396within the commonwealth for 1 day preceding the date of his application for such benefits, nor to
397any dependent of a veteran unless he has actually resided within the commonwealth continuously
398for three years next preceding the date of his application for such benefits, nor unless the veteran
399of whom he is a dependent has actually resided within the commonwealth continuously for three
400years next preceding the date of such dependent’s application for such benefits” and inserting in 21 of 30
401place thereof the following words:- or to a dependent of a veteran unless the veteran or the
402dependent has actually resided within the commonwealth for 1 day preceding the date of the
403application for such benefits.
404 SECTION 64. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
405amended by striking out, in lines 16, 25, 26, 45, 59, 62, 63, 65 and 66, the word “his” and
406inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- their.
407 SECTION 65. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
408amended by striking out, in lines 22 and 74, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in
409each instance, the following word:- them.
410 SECTION 66. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
411amended by striking out, in line 27, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
412words:- the applicant.
413 SECTION 67. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
414amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “himself” and inserting in place thereof the
415following word:- themselves.
416 SECTION 68. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
417amended by striking out in lines 39, 43, 51, 54, 102 and 103, the word “his” and inserting in
418place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.
419 SECTION 69. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
420amended by striking out, in line 42, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
421words:- the secretary’s. 22 of 30
422 SECTION 70. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
423amended by striking out, in line 57, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
424words:- the veteran.
425 SECTION 71. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
426amended by striking out, in line 59, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following
427word:- They.
428 SECTION 72. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
429amended by striking out, in line 61, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following
430word:- they.
431 SECTION 73. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
432amended by striking out, in line 92, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
433words:- the veterans’ agent’s.
434 SECTION 74. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
435amended by striking out, in lines 95, 99 and 103, the word “mother” and inserting in place
436thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent.
437 SECTION 75. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
438amended by striking out, in line 100, the word “her” and inserting in place thereof the following
439words:- the parent’s.
440 SECTION 76. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
441amended by striking out, in line 106, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
442words:- the secretary. 23 of 30
443 SECTION 77. The seventh paragraph of said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so
444appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- An increase in income from a
445cost-of-living adjustment made to social security, supplemental security income or social
446security disability insurance shall not render a recipient ineligible for benefits under this chapter
447in the year that the cost-of-living adjustment was issued.
448 SECTION 78. Section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
449striking out, in lines 2, 8, 11, 57, 60 and 63 and 64, the words “mother or father” and inserting in
450place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent.
451 SECTION 79. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
452amended by striking out, in lines 16 and 17, the words “mother’s or father’s” and inserting in
453place thereof the following word:- parent’s.
454 SECTION 80. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
455amended by striking out, in line 33, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
456word:- the person.
457 SECTION 81. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
458amended by striking out, in line 40, the words “mother and father” and inserting in place thereof
459the following word:- parents.
460 SECTION 82. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
461amended by striking out, in line 41, the words “in his” and inserting in place thereof the
462following words:- within the secretary’s. 24 of 30
463 SECTION 83. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
464amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
465words:- the secretary’s.
466 SECTION 84. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
467amended by striking out, in lines 47 and 48, the words “the petition in his own name” and
468inserting in place thereof the following words:- a petition.
469 SECTION 85. Section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
470striking out, in line 3, the word “him”.
471 SECTION 86. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
472amended by striking out, in line 12, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in place
473thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.
474 SECTION 87. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
475amended by striking out, in lines 15 and 19, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each
476instance, the following words:- the secretary.
477 SECTION 88. Section 6A of said chapter 115 is hereby repealed.
478 SECTION 89. Section 6B of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
479is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 19, 28 and 35, the words “the sum of $2,000” and
480inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,250.
481 SECTION 90. Said section 6B of said chapter 115 is hereby further amended by striking
482out the figure “$2,250”, inserted by section 89, each time it appears, and inserting in place
483thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500. 25 of 30
484 SECTION 91. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official
485Edition, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 20, 29 and 35 and 36 the words “two
486equal payments on August and February 1” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the
487following words:- “1 payment on August 1.”
488 SECTION 92. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
489amended by striking out, in lines 21 and 30, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
490instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.
491 SECTION 93. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
492amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32 the words “, provided that the surviving spouse does
493not remarry,”.
494 SECTION 94. Section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
495striking out, in line 4, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- The
496burial agent.
497 SECTION 95. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
498amended by striking out, in line 8, the words “his wife, or his widow” and inserting in place
499thereof the following words:- the veteran’s spouse, or widowed person.
500 SECTION 96. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
501amended by striking out, in line 10, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following
502words:- the burial agent. 26 of 30
503 SECTION 97. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
504amended by striking out, in lines 12 and 14, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each
505instance, the following words:- the burial agent.
506 SECTION 98. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
507amended by striking out, in line 17 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each
508instance, the following words:- the person’s.
509 SECTION 99. Section 8 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
510striking out, in line 23, the words “widow, or widower” and inserting in place thereof the
511following words:- widowed person.
512 SECTION 100. Section 9 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
513striking out, in line 3, the words “, as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter
514four,”.
515 SECTION 101. Said chapter 115 is hereby amended by inserting after section 9 the
516following section:-
517 Section 9A. The executive office of veterans’ services shall operate, maintain and expand
518the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial cemetery located in the city known as the town of
519Agawam and the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial cemetery located in the town of
520Winchendon and may add new cemetery locations, subject to the availability of funds, to meet
521veterans’ and veteran dependents’ needs; provided, however, that the office shall maintain the
522cemetery grounds, facilities and infrastructure and shall manage the burial and interment
523services. The executive office may adopt additional rules, regulations and policies as necessary
524to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure the proper functioning of the cemeteries under its control. 27 of 30
525 SECTION 102. Section 10 of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,
526is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the
527following word:- such director’s.
528 SECTION 103. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
529amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32, the words “duties of his office” and inserting in
530place thereof the following words:- office’s duties.
531 SECTION 104. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
532amended by striking out, in line 32, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
533words:- the director’s.
534 SECTION 105. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
535amended by striking out, in line 37, the words “his duties as treasurer of the district” and
536inserting in place thereof the following words:- the district treasurer’s duties.
537 SECTION 106. Section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
538striking out, in line 2, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the
539mayors.
540 SECTION 107. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
541amended by striking out, in lines 3 and 4, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the
542following word:- chair.
543 SECTION 108. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
544amended by striking out, in line 5, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
545words:- the town manager’s. 28 of 30
546 SECTION 109. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
547amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
548words:- the treasurer’s.
549 SECTION 110. Section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
550striking out, in line 4, the words “he, and his duly accredited agents,” and inserting in place
551thereof the following words:- the director and the director’s agents.
552 SECTION 111. Said section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further
553amended by striking out, in line 11, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following
554word:- a.
555 SECTION 112. Section 16 of said chapter 115, inserted by section 53 of chapter 126 of
556the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by inserting after the first sentence the following sentence:-
557The board shall ensure that veterans receive state-based veteran benefits if they receive: (i) an
558other than honorable discharge on the basis of sex, race, color, religious creed, national origin,
559age, genetic information, ancestry, marital status or disability; or (ii) any United States
560Department of Veterans Affairs category eligible for a discharge upgrade, including, but not
561limited to, mental health conditions, military sexual trauma and traumatic brain injury.
562 SECTION 113. Said section 16 of said chapter 115, as so inserted, is hereby further
563amended by striking out, in lines 37, 40 and 50, the word “department” and inserting in place
564thereof the following words:- executive office.
565 SECTION 114. Chapter 115A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out
566section 1, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following
567section:- 29 of 30
568 Section 1. A person who is a veteran as defined in section 1 of chapter 115 shall be
569entitled to out-patient treatment at, admission to and hospitalization in a state-operated veterans'
570home, subject to the provisions of section 3.
571 SECTION 115. Section 9 of said chapter 115A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
572striking out, in line 3, the words “home in the city of Chelsea” and inserting in place thereof the
573following word:- homes.
574 SECTION 116. Section 12 of said chapter 115A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
575striking out, in line 1, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
576executive office.
577 SECTION 117. Said section 12 of said chapter 115A, as so appearing, is hereby further
578amended by striking out, in line 22, the words “department of veterans” and inserting in place
579thereof the following words:- executive office of veterans’.
580 SECTION 118. Section 3 of chapter 115B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
581hereby amended by striking out, in line 16 to 18, inclusive, the words “home in the city of
582Chelsea; and the chair of the board of trustees of the veterans’ home in the city of Holyoke” and
583inserting in place thereof the following words:- homes.
584 SECTION 119. Section 73B of chapter 272 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
585hereby amended by striking out, in lines 18, the second time it appears, and 23, the word
586“department” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- executive
587office. 30 of 30
588 SECTION 120. Section 11 of chapter 276A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
589hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 13, the words “the department” and inserting in
590place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the executive office.
591 SECTION 121. Section 3 of chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended by section 2 of
592chapter 468 of the acts of 2002, is hereby further amended by striking out the second paragraph.
593 SECTION 122. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a member of
594a retirement system who is a member in service and a veteran who failed to make the purchase
595authorized in paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws
596pursuant to chapter 71 of the acts of 1996 shall be given a 1-time opportunity to apply to the
597retirement system to make said purchase within 1 year from the effective date of this act. Each
598retirement system shall provide written notice to all members in service of their potential
599eligibility for this purchase within 90 days of the effective date of this act.
600 SECTION 123. (a) The secretary of veterans’ services, in coordination with the executive
601office of health and human services, shall convene a working group to review alternative
602therapies for mental health treatments for veterans. The working group shall: (i) study whether
603psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed
604mental health disorders; (ii) evaluate literature, research trials and expert opinions to determine if
605psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes regarding mental health treatment for
606veterans; and (iii) issue recommendations regarding the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat
607veterans with mental health disorders in the commonwealth. As used in this section,
608“psychedelic therapy” shall mean the use of psilocybin, ketamine, or 3,4- 31 of 30
609methylenedioxymethamphetamine under the direction of a health care provider to treat mental
610health disorders.
611 (b) The secretary shall appoint the following members to the working group: 2 members
612who shall represent medical centers or hospitals in the commonwealth that serve veterans; 2
613members who shall represent health insurance companies; 2 members who shall represent
614veterans’ services organizations; 1 member who shall represent an organization currently
615studying the subject matter of alternative therapies for mental health treatment of veterans; and
616such other members with experience in behavioral health or veterans’ services as the secretary
617deems necessary. The secretary shall designate a chair of the working group from the
618membership of the group.
619 (c) Not later than January 1, 2025, the working group shall file a report of its findings and
620any recommendations with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint
621committee on veterans and federal affairs and the joint committee on mental health, substance
622use and recovery.
623 SECTION 124. Sections 18 and 19 shall take effect on taxable years beginning on
624January 1, 2024.
625 SECTION 125. Sections 20 and 24 through 30, inclusive, shall take effect 6 months after
626the effective date of this act.
627 SECTION 126. Sections 50 and 89 shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
628 SECTION 127. Section 90 shall take effect on July 1, 2025.