Veterans in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1859: An Act relative to the use of slot machines in veterans’ organizations for its members and invited guests

This bill creates a new "limited slot machine license" specifically for veterans' organizations, allowing them to operate up to five slot machines exclusively for their members and invited guests. It amends gaming laws to exclude veterans' organizations from standard "gaming establishment" definitions and establishes a 5-year license term with application/renewal fees capped at $500 (deposited into the Gaming Revenue Fund). The commission must register, inspect, and test all machines used under this license, potentially using independent labs. This directly affects veterans' organizations incorporated by Congress, providing a regulated pathway for limited slot machine use without requiring a standard gaming license.

Topics ✓ Veterans

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1112: An Act relative to Purple Heart registration plates

This bill allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal to receive special vehicle registration plates featuring the Purple Heart image. Eligible veterans who own private passenger vehicles or motorcycles can get their first set of these plates at no cost from the state motor vehicle office, with standard fees applying for additional sets. The plates are intended to honor Purple Heart recipients and are available upon providing proof of their military award. The bill directly affects qualifying veterans by providing a visible symbol of recognition for their service.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2191: An Act extending certain existing sales tax exemptions to veteran's organizations

This bill (HD 2191) amends Massachusetts tax law to expand sales tax exemptions. It adds "veteran's organizations" to the list of entities qualifying for the same sales tax exemption currently available to 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Specifically, it inserts "or five hundred and one (c)(19)" into the tax code, allowing veteran's organizations to claim the exemption without needing separate approval. The change directly affects veteran's organizations by enabling them to avoid sales tax on qualifying purchases. This is a technical adjustment to existing tax law, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2180: An Act relative to the civilian certification of military medical personnel

This bill creates a program allowing military medical personnel (like Army medics, Navy corpsmen, or Air Force technicians) who were honorably discharged to practice certain medical tasks under a licensed physician's supervision in Massachusetts. It establishes limited registration for these veterans, enabling them to perform duties matching their military training while a supervising physician retains full patient care responsibility. Participating hospitals, clinics, or physicians must apply for certification through the Department of Public Health. The program directly affects recent military medical veterans seeking civilian medical careers and healthcare facilities in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Public Health

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1221: An Act providing for timely reimbursement of cities and towns for veterans' benefits

SD 1221 changes the timeline for reimbursing cities and towns that pay veterans' benefits. It replaces the previous deadline of "November tenth in the year after expenditures" with a new requirement: reimbursement must be made "no later than 6 months after the date on which such expenditures are certified by the secretary." This directly affects local governments that provide veterans' benefits, ensuring they receive reimbursement within six months of the state certifying their costs. The bill amends section 6 of chapter 115 of the General Laws and takes effect two years after enactment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2512: An Act supporting Massachusetts Guard and Reserve and their families

This bill amends Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws to expand the definition of eligible members for certain benefits or services. It adds a new subsection (f) clarifying that actively serving Army or Air Force National Guard members residing in Massachusetts, or Reserve members living in the state, qualify under the law. The change directly affects Massachusetts-based National Guard and Reserve members by ensuring they are explicitly included in the definition. This is a technical definitional update to existing law, not a new program or funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2547: An Act relative to veteran buy backs

This bill (HD 2547) allows veterans in Massachusetts retirement systems to apply at any time to buy back service time they served before joining the system. It directly affects veterans who are members of these retirement systems and want to count prior military service toward their retirement benefits. The key change amends Chapter 32, Section 4 to state that veterans may apply for creditable service "at any time," removing previous restrictions. It also removes two outdated paragraphs from Chapter 71, Section 3 related to this process. The bill simplifies the process for veterans seeking to include military service in their retirement calculations.

Topics ✓ Veterans

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2725: An Act relative to vacation time for employees of the Commonwealth who are veterans

HD 2725 amends Massachusetts law to ensure veteran Commonwealth employees who purchase creditable service time through their retirement system receive proper vacation time benefits. The bill requires retirement boards to notify the relevant human resources department whenever a veteran employee buys such service time. This notification allows the employee to count the purchased time toward their vacation accrual rate as a Commonwealth employee. The law directly affects veterans employed by state agencies who use retirement system service purchases. It changes the administrative process for calculating vacation time, not the amount of vacation earned.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1472: An Act to recognize service to our Commonwealth and Nation

This bill (SD 1472) amends a Massachusetts law to add a specific recognition provision for families of service members who die while actively serving. It inserts a new subsection (h) into Section 6A of Chapter 2, explicitly naming all active-duty branches of the U.S. military (including Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard, Reserve, and National Guard) as those whose service deaths will be recognized. The bill provides symbolic recognition for the families of these service members but does not create new benefits, funding, or obligations. It is a procedural, commemorative measure focused solely on acknowledging service and sacrifice.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2689: An Act relative to veteran's benefits for surviving spouses

This bill would add an annual $1,500 payment to surviving spouses of veterans who meet specific criteria. To qualify, a surviving spouse must be unmarried, currently receiving Dependency Indemnity Compensation from the Veterans Administration, and have a spouse who served in active military service. The $1,500 would be paid in two installments on August 1 and February 1 each year, starting from when the spouse submits a completed application. It directly affects eligible surviving spouses by providing an additional financial benefit beyond their existing VA compensation.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

All veterans bills