Veterans (Veteran Mental Health) in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3823: An Act relative to assisting veterans in need

This bill amends an existing law (Section 3F of Chapter 60) to expand assistance for veterans. It adds "legal" and "housing" to the list of services veterans can access through the current transportation assistance program. The change directly affects veterans in need who require support with legal issues or housing, integrating these services into the existing framework. It does not create new programs but modifies how current assistance is provided.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3824: An Act to reform veterans’ services at the municipal level

This bill requires cities and towns with populations over 12,000 that currently use part-time veterans' agents or directors to appoint full-time staff starting each fiscal year. Municipalities failing to comply face a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each month of noncompliance, with each month treated as a separate offense. The law directly affects larger municipalities that previously maintained part-time veterans' service roles. It mandates a concrete change in staffing structure for veteran services at the municipal level, with specific enforcement penalties.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3884: An Act relative to emergency medical transportation provided to veterans

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Veteran Services to consider fully reimbursing veterans with a 100% disability rating for emergency medical transportation costs to hospitals (both local and VA facilities). It directly affects veterans who have been officially rated at 100% disability by the VA. To qualify, veterans must provide proof of their disability rating within a reasonable timeframe, considering their medical condition. The bill does not mandate automatic reimbursement but directs the department to evaluate such requests.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3852: An Act relative to veteran health, opportunity, notification, observance and respect

This bill requires Massachusetts health officials to create educational materials about burn pit health effects and VA registry enrollment for veterans. It mandates a confidential database tracking veterans exposed to burn pits during specific deployments (like Iraq/Afghanistan operations), with strict privacy protections. The state must distribute informational pamphlets by 2026 and coordinate outreach to veterans through veterans' services offices and National Guard channels. The bill also directs state agencies to advocate for VA registry improvements, including paper registration and family access for deceased veterans.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3881: An Act increasing access to medical care for veterans

This bill (HD 205) requires Massachusetts public transportation systems (commuter rail, subway, bus, shuttle, and boat) to provide free rides to veterans traveling to or from Veterans Administration hospitals for medical care. It applies only to veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Defense who present proof of a VA medical appointment, such as a notice from the VA showing their name, date, and location of the appointment. The law aims to reduce transportation barriers for veterans seeking medical care at VA facilities within Massachusetts, without altering VA healthcare services or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 20, 2026

HD 4953: An Act relative to establishing the temporary emergency veterans’ assistance program

By Representatives Badger of Plymouth and LaNatra of Kingston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michelle L. Badger for legislation to establish the temporary emergency veterans’ assistance program. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 5, 2026

S 2489: An Act relative to veteran health care

This bill (SD 596) expands access to veteran health care by requiring the Secretary of Veterans’ Services to create regulations that make veterans with incomes below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level eligible for medical care coverage if they meet other qualification criteria. It directly affects low-income veterans seeking health services, ensuring they can access medical care without additional non-medical benefits. The key mechanism is a new regulatory requirement mandating eligibility for "Medical Only" coverage based on income thresholds. The bill does not change existing benefits but clarifies and broadens access for a specific income group.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2497: An Act relative to shelter benefits for veterans

This bill removes the phrase "subject to appropriation" from Massachusetts law governing veteran shelter benefits. By eliminating this funding restriction, the law now ensures these benefits are fully funded without requiring annual budget approvals. This change directly affects veterans who receive shelter assistance under the program, making their benefits more secure and predictable. The amendment modifies Chapter 115, Section 5 of the Massachusetts General Laws.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 5, 2026

S 2490: An Act relative to outreach to veterans

This bill creates a reimbursement program for municipalities to cover costs of local veterans' outreach. It requires the Secretary of Veterans' Services to establish regulations reimbursing cities and towns 75% of eligible outreach expenses by local veterans' service departments, up to a maximum of $2,000 per municipality. The provision directly affects municipal governments operating veterans' service offices. Key mechanisms include setting a 75% reimbursement rate and a $2,000 annual cap on reimbursements for outreach activities. The bill does not change veterans' eligibility for services, only the funding mechanism for local outreach efforts.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 2189: An Act designating veterans suicide awareness and remembrance day

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2189) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to designate September 22nd as veterans suicide awareness and remembrance day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

All veterans bills