Veterans in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2935: An Act incentivizing veterans to reside in the Commonwealth

This bill changes a residency requirement for veterans seeking state benefits. It reduces the required continuous residency period from 5 years to 1 year. This directly affects veterans who want to qualify for specific Commonwealth benefits, making it easier for them to become eligible. The key provision is the amendment to the General Laws, shortening the qualifying time frame for veterans to access these benefits.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2994: An Act relative to headstones for long-serving or perished members of the Massachusetts National Guard

This bill requires the Massachusetts Veteran's Service Commission to provide headstones for deceased members of the Massachusetts National Guard who served at least 10 years or died while serving. The headstones must match those offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It directly affects eligible deceased National Guard members and their families by making headstone requests available through the state commission. The provision is procedural, simply establishing the state's obligation to provide these headstones upon request.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3204: An Act relative to veteran disability benefits

This bill increases annual disability payments for certain veterans from $2,000 to $5,000. It directly affects veterans certified by the VA as having service-connected PTSD, Persian Gulf illness, or Camp Lejeune water-related injuries at 80% disability. The law requires the state to pay $5,000 yearly in two installments (August 1 and February 1) starting from the application date. This change amends existing law to raise the payment amount for these specific veteran groups.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3191: An Act relative to retirement benefits for veterans

This bill allows veterans who retired before July 24, 1996, from state or local retirement systems to count their military service toward retirement benefits. Veterans may receive credit for up to four years of active military service (or National Guard/Reserve service at a 5:1 ratio - five years of guard/reserve service equals one year of active duty), but this credit cannot exceed 80% of their retirement benefit. Local retirement systems must approve the change via vote, though state systems like teachers' and employees' plans automatically adopt it. The bill specifically excludes service already counted under prior provisions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3109: An Act in support of veterans and dependents through municipal tax bills

HD 3109 allows Massachusetts cities and towns to add a voluntary donation option on municipal tax bills or motor vehicle excise tax bills. Taxpayers can choose to add a specified amount to their payment, which would go directly to a local veterans agent's account. The funds are designated to support veterans and their dependents in financial need within the community. This bill requires approval from both the city/town legislative body and the Commissioner of Revenue before implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Military Families

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1829: An Act relative to age restrictions for veterans applying to be police officers and firefighters

This bill sets a 32-year age limit for new applicants seeking police or firefighter positions in Massachusetts cities or towns that adopt it. It prohibits certification for anyone over 32 on the entrance exam date, except for veterans who have not exceeded the maximum age for original military enlistment under federal law (10 U.S.C. 505(a)). The policy directly affects veterans applying for these public safety roles in adopting jurisdictions. It creates a specific exemption for veterans to align with federal military age standards, while imposing the age restriction on all other applicants.

Topics ✓ Veterans

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1791: An Act creating equal access to a common application for low-income veterans

SD 1791 creates equal access to a common application for low-income veterans in Massachusetts. It amends an existing law to include "veterans services benefits under Chapter 115" alongside other benefits like housing and healthcare. The key mechanism is adding veterans' benefits to the current single application system, allowing eligible veterans to apply for multiple benefits through one form. This directly affects low-income veterans seeking services covered under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts law. The bill streamlines access to existing benefits without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1885: An Act relative to solar energy grants at posts of veterans' organizations

This bill establishes a $500,000 annual grant program to install solar energy systems at local veterans' organization locations (headquarters, halls, or posts) in Massachusetts. It requires that all solar energy generated benefits the recipient organization, with grants limited to $50,000 per organization, at least 10 grants awarded yearly across diverse geographic areas. The program is funded through a dedicated trust managed by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, with annual reports to the legislature detailing grant recipients and amounts. The bill directly affects qualifying veterans' organizations by providing funding for renewable energy infrastructure at their physical locations.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3313: An Act relative to veteran license plates

HD 3313 creates a new series of free veteran license plates in Massachusetts, waiving the standard $60 registration fee and renewal costs for eligible veterans. The bill establishes multiple plate designs to recognize specific military service, including disabled veterans (60%+ VA disability), prisoners of war, Medal of Honor recipients, Purple Heart recipients ("COMBAT WOUNDED" plates), and Gold Star family members. Veterans must provide proof of service to receive a plate, and they are also eligible for branch-of-service decals (with a special option for woman veterans). The bill includes provisions allowing widows to retain veteran plates after a spouse's death without reapplying, and optional additional fees (funding veterans' homes) are available but not required.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3336: An Act relative to low-income housing eligibility for disabled veterans

This bill changes how income is calculated for disabled veterans seeking public housing. It directs housing authorities to exclude veterans' U.S. disability benefits (from 38 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.) when determining eligibility for low-income housing programs. As a result, disabled veterans receiving these federal benefits will have a lower calculated income, making them more likely to qualify for housing assistance they might otherwise be denied. The policy directly affects disabled veterans applying for publicly assisted housing in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

All veterans bills