Veterans in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3324: An Act honoring as veterans certain persons who served in the National Guard and Reserves

This bill defines "reserve veteran" for Massachusetts as National Guard or Reserve members with 20+ years of service under federal law and an honorable discharge. It requires the state to honor and recognize these individuals as veterans through outreach programs and inclusion in veteran events. Crucially, it clarifies that this recognition does not make reserve veterans eligible for state benefits solely based on this status. The bill focuses on ceremonial recognition, not changes to benefit eligibility.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3416: An Act relative to COLA adjustments for veteran benefits

This bill (HD 3416) requires that all veteran benefits paid under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, be adjusted annually to match the state's average cost-of-living increase. It directly affects veterans receiving benefits under this section by ensuring their payments rise each year with inflation. The key mechanism is an automatic annual adjustment tied to the Commonwealth's official cost-of-living measure. This change updates existing benefit payments without creating new programs or eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3537: An Act fraudulent representation of an accredited veterans service officer, accredited agent or attorney

This bill prohibits unaccredited individuals or organizations from falsely representing themselves as veterans service officers, agents, or attorneys to assist veterans with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It specifically bans charging fees for claim preparation, "consulting services," or soliciting applicants for VA benefits, and prohibits referring clients to unaccredited providers for compensation. Violations carry a $500 fine per offense, with proceeds funding veterans' outreach centers and homeless shelters. The law directly affects veterans seeking VA benefits and unaccredited representatives exploiting their vulnerability.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3566: An Act relative to veterans benefits

HD 3566 ensures that increases in state veterans' benefits are not counted as income when determining eligibility for public housing or other public assistance programs. It directly affects veterans receiving state veterans benefits who also apply for public housing, food assistance, or similar support. The bill amends state law to exclude any increase in veterans' benefits from income calculations used by public assistance programs. This prevents veterans from losing access to essential support due to higher veterans' benefits, maintaining their eligibility without requiring them to reduce their veterans' aid.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3531: An Act relative to waiving education requirements for skilled veterans to be LPNs

This bill creates a waiver program allowing military veterans who completed medical training in the service to take the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) exam without graduating from a formal nursing program. It directly affects veterans with relevant military medical experience seeking LPN licensure in Massachusetts. The nursing board must establish this waiver program, and the Department of Public Health must create implementing regulations by January 1, 2026. The key change removes a standard education requirement for qualified veterans, streamlining their path to LPN certification.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health Veteran Education

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3586: An Act to recognize service to our Commonwealth and Nation

This bill (HD 3586) adds a recognition provision for service members who die while actively serving in the U.S. military. It specifically applies to active-duty personnel from all branches (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard), Reserve Components, and National Guard who are residents of the Commonwealth. The bill does not create new benefits or programs but formally acknowledges their service and sacrifice through legislative language. As a commemorative measure, it directly affects the families and communities of these fallen service members by adding this recognition to official records.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2164: An Act relative to waiving education requirements for skilled veterans to be LPNs

This bill amends Massachusetts law to allow veterans with military medical training to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) without completing additional state education requirements. It directly affects veterans who have satisfactorily completed medical training through the military. The key provision inserts language into licensing rules to recognize military medical training as equivalent to the state's education requirement for LPN licensure. This creates a direct pathway for eligible veterans to enter the LPN workforce without redundant training.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Professional Licensing Veteran Education

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2207: An Act relative to COLA adjustments for veteran benefits

This bill (SD 2207) requires annual cost-of-living adjustments for veterans' benefits under Chapter 59 of Massachusetts General Laws. It directly affects veterans receiving benefits specified in Section 5 of that chapter by tying their payments to the Commonwealth's average cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year. The key provision replaces previous adjustment methods with an automatic, annual update based on the state's calculated COLA, ensuring benefits keep pace with local inflation. This change applies specifically to veterans' benefits funded under the referenced section, without altering eligibility or benefit amounts otherwise.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3961: An Act amending the definition of veteran

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand the definition of "veteran" by adding specific federal service branches. It directly affects members of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, the United States Public Health Service, and the United States Space Force who previously may not have qualified as veterans under state law. The key provision adds these entities to the existing list of qualifying services in M.G.L. ch. 4, s. 7, clause 43(b). This change ensures these service members receive the same state-level veteran benefits and recognition as other military personnel.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2501: An Act excluding Chapter 115 payments to veterans from gross household income calculation

This bill changes how veterans' healthcare reimbursements are treated for benefit eligibility. It requires that payments veterans receive for out-of-pocket medical costs be excluded from gross household income calculations used to determine eligibility for certain state programs. The key provision adds these specific reimbursements to the official list of excluded income items in the state's regulations (760 CMR 6.05(3)). This directly affects veterans who receive such reimbursements, ensuring these payments no longer reduce their eligibility for income-based benefits. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

All veterans bills