Veterans

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 28, 2025

H 3862: An Act relative to dependent eligibility for Chapter 115 benefits

This bill changes eligibility rules for veterans' dependents under Massachusetts' Chapter 115 benefits program. It allows dependents of veterans to qualify for benefits even if they lack the standard one-day Massachusetts residency requirement, provided they can prove they lived in Massachusetts for at least one year before applying. The key change removes the previous residency barrier for these dependents, replacing it with a one-year residency proof requirement. This directly affects veterans' spouses and children seeking benefits under this specific program.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill clarifies dependent eligibility for Chapter 115 veterans' benefits, expanding access to support veterans' families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 28, 2025

H 3853: An Act ensuring annuity eligibility for Gold Star Spouses

This bill amends Massachusetts law to remove a restriction preventing Gold Star Spouses from receiving annuities if they remarry. Specifically, it deletes the phrase "provided, that the surviving spouse does not remarry" from Section 6B of Chapter 115. The change directly affects spouses of military members who died in service (Gold Star Spouses), allowing them to maintain annuity eligibility regardless of marital status. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to expand benefit access without altering other eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnsures annuity eligibility for Gold Star Spouses, expanding benefits for surviving spouses of service members who died in action.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 28, 2025

H 3849: An Act to exclude Chapter 115 payments to veterans from gross household income calculation

This bill (HD 1722) changes how certain veteran health care reimbursements are treated for income-based programs. It requires that payments veterans receive to cover out-of-pocket health care costs be excluded from gross household income calculations, as specified in state regulations (760 CMR 6.05). This directly affects veterans who receive these reimbursements when applying for benefits like food assistance or housing subsidies. The key provision adds these payments to the official list of exclusions used to determine household income eligibility. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExcludes veterans' healthcare payments from income calculations, increasing eligibility for income-based benefits without reducing actual payments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 1821: An Act relative to disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1821) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Marcus S. Vaughn, Steven George Xiarhos, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Public Service.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill addresses disability/death from PTSD, directly expanding veterans' healthcare benefits and recognition of service-related conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 3, 2025

H 3115: An Act relative to tax abatement for permanently disabled veterans

This bill (HD 3946) simplifies property tax exemptions for veterans with permanent disabilities in Massachusetts. It modifies existing law to exempt veterans with a permanent disability rated 10% or higher by the Veterans Administration from needing to reapply or provide new evidence annually for their tax exemption. The exemption remains permanent once approved, provided the veteran’s disability was deemed permanent by the VA at the time of initial approval. Veterans whose disabilities are not deemed permanent by the VA will still need to reapply each year. The bill directly affects qualifying disabled veterans who own property in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax abatement (reduction) for permanently disabled veterans, offering targeted tax relief to a vulnerable group, aligning with support indicators for fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides tax abatement (relief) for permanently disabled veterans, directly expanding their benefits as a targeted financial support measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 3, 2025

S 670: An Act relative to disabled veterans fishing and hunting licenses

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 670) of Bruce E. Tarr and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation relative to disabled veterans fishing and hunting licenses. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides disabled veterans with access to fishing/hunting licenses, expanding a specific benefit for veterans as per legislative intent.95% confidence

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signed · Massachusetts · House Apr 10, 2026

H 4374: An Act designating a certain overpass in the town of Sandwich as the U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Tourville Veterans Memorial Overpass

By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven George Xiarhos that a certain overpass on State Route 6 in the town of Sandwich be designated as the U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Tourville veterans memorial overpass. Transportation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates overpass as Veterans Memorial honoring a Marine Staff Sergeant, directly recognizing veteran service per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 4074: An Act relative to the development of single family and multi-family housing for veterans

This bill amends zoning laws to prevent local governments from blocking or unreasonably restricting housing developments that specifically serve veterans. It requires that any single or multi-family housing project with a veteran preference (as defined in state law) and an affordable housing deed restriction must not face zoning barriers like special permits or unreasonable restrictions. The law directly affects housing developers and local zoning boards by limiting their ability to deny such projects through discretionary approval processes. This creates a clearer path for building veteran-focused housing that remains affordable long-term, without altering existing housing requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables zoning for veteran housing development, directly advancing housing access and development for a specific group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly targets housing development for veterans through zoning changes, directly advancing housing benefits as a core veteran service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning Veteran Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 13, 2025

S 1918: An Act relative to the veteran allowance for public retirees

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1918) of John C. Velis and Dennis C. Gallagher for legislation relative to the veteran allowance for public retirees. Public Service.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides veteran allowance for public retirees, directly expanding benefits for veterans through state-level financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 2, 2026

H 4688: An Act making August 10th Agent Orange Awareness Day in Massachusetts

By Representatives Hawkins of Attleboro and Pease of Westfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James K. Hawkins, Kelly W. Pease and others for legislation to designate August 10th as Agent Orange awareness day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Agent Orange Awareness Day to recognize veterans' service and health impacts from exposure, aligning with veteran recognition indicators.95% confidence

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