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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4240 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3826
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Shirley B. Arriaga
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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
resolve:
Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Shirley B. Arriaga8th Hampden1/17/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4240 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3826
By Representative Arriaga of Chicopee, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 3826) of
Shirley B. Arriaga for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the
General Court) on women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood.
Veterans and Federal Affairs.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3710 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood.
1 Resolved, There shall be a special legislative commission established pursuant to section
22A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to study the effects combat experience has on motherhood
3and parenting for female veterans. The special commission shall examine female veterans who
4have experienced combat and whether that experience has either short or long-term impacts on
5motherhood. The special commission shall examine the children of female veterans who
6experienced combat and any lifelong effects it may have on those children living in the
7commonwealth.
8 The special commission shall consist of: (i) the chairs of the joint committee on veterans
9and federal affairs, who shall be co-chairs for the commission; (ii) the chairs of the joint
10committee mental health, substance use and recovery; (iii) the secretary of veterans’ services or a
11designee; (vi) the commissioner of mental health or a designee; (vii) 1 person to be appointed by 2 of 2
12the speaker of the house of representatives, whom shall be a veteran; (v) 1 person to be appointed
13by the president of the senate, whom shall be a veteran; and (vi) 1 person appointed by the
14governor, whom shall have specialized knowledge of female veterans serving in combat.
15 All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this
16resolve. The chairpersons shall meet with the special commission not later than 60 days after the
17effective date of this resolve.
18 Not later than 18 months after the enactment of this resolve, the special commission shall
19submit a report and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to
20carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerks of the house of
21representatives and the senate and the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs.