This bill requires the Massachusetts Commission of Veteran's Service to provide headstones for deceased members of the Massachusetts National Guard who either served 10 or more years or perished while performing duties. Headstones must match those offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The policy directly affects eligible deceased National Guard members and their families by ensuring access to standardized headstones through a state commission. It creates a new administrative duty for the commission without altering existing federal benefits.
This bill would change who qualifies for special veteran license plates in Massachusetts. It adds a new requirement: veterans must have a service-connected disability rating of 60% or higher from the U.S. Veterans' Administration *and* suffer from a mental disability related to their military service. The change modifies existing law to include these specific health conditions as part of the eligibility criteria. This directly affects veterans seeking these plates who meet both the disability rating and mental health condition requirements.
This bill allows veterans who received the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge (Second Award), or Combat Action Badge to obtain free distinctive license plates displaying "COMBAT VETERAN" and their military branch emblem. It directly affects qualifying Army combat veterans who own a private passenger vehicle or motorcycle. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may continue using the plates by paying an annual $20 fee, but only until remarriage or non-renewal. The plates are provided at no cost to the veteran upon verification of their combat badge.
HD 2340 changes residency requirements for veterans and their dependents to receive state benefits. Veterans must have lived in the Commonwealth for at least one day before applying, while dependents must have resided continuously in the state for three years, with the veteran also having resided there continuously for three years. The bill requires Veterans Service Officers in the applicant's city or town to certify specific details for each benefit recipient, including residence dates, service history, and the dependent's relationship to the veteran. These provisions clarify eligibility criteria and standardize the application process for state veterans' benefits.
This bill creates a new license allowing federally chartered veterans' organizations (like the American Legion) to operate limited video gaming machines (VGTs) at their facilities. It permits up to 5 VGTs per location with $2 maximum bets and $599 maximum wins, restricted to members and guests over 21. Licensees must pay a 35% tax on gross profits to the Gaming Revenue Fund, comply with strict background checks, and use a centrally monitored system with no cash handling at machines. The license is valid for 5 years, non-transferable, and requires posting gambling help resources.
This bill changes when veterans' disability benefits begin. It sets the effective date to the day after a veteran's discharge if they apply within one year of leaving service. This directly affects veterans who file for disability compensation soon after their military separation, ensuring they receive benefits starting immediately after discharge rather than from the application date. The key mechanism is modifying the timing rule in existing law to provide faster access to benefits.
This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand eligibility for a specific benefit or program by adding a new category for veterans. It specifically adds: "member of the Massachusetts National Guard or Reserves of the United States Armed Forces with no less than two years of continuous service" as the new category (4), replacing the previous text. This directly affects Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve members who meet the two-year service requirement, ensuring they are explicitly included under this eligibility provision. The change modifies the existing legal text without creating new benefits or altering other provisions.
This bill expands the role of Massachusetts' Office of the Military and Veteran Advocate, creating an independent office to better support veterans and military families receiving state services. It requires the office to ensure humane treatment, coordinate benefits access, review care systems across state agencies, investigate serious incidents (like fatalities), and advise state leaders on improving veteran services. The office will be led by a full-time advocate appointed through a nonpartisan committee of veterans' leaders and agency heads, serving a 5-year term. The bill directly affects veterans and military families using state health, housing, or social services, and mandates annual public reports to state leaders on service improvements.
HD 978 amends state law to expand eligibility for a parks pass waiver from only Purple Heart recipients to all veterans. Currently, the waiver applies exclusively to Purple Heart recipients under Chapter 132A Section 2D, but this bill would add "a veteran" to the qualifying categories. As a result, any veteran meeting the state's definition would qualify for the waiver, including those without a Purple Heart. The bill does not alter the existing waiver for Purple Heart recipients but broadens coverage to include all veterans.
This bill (HD 3044) provides full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans who own or have property deeded to them or their spouse, as their primary residence. It replaces the previous system that limited tax relief to $1,500 or a portion of a specially adapted housing grant. The key change is granting complete exemption from property taxes on the veteran's primary residence, rather than a capped dollar amount. This directly affects qualifying veterans with 100% service-connected permanent total disability who reside in the property they own or hold title to.
