Veterans

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 1788: An Act relative to PTSD and accidental disability

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1788) of Michael D. Brady, Marcus S. Vaughn, Steven George Xiarhos, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to PTSD and accidental disability retirement. Public Service.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill addresses PTSD and accidental disability retirement, directly supporting veterans' healthcare and benefits through targeted legislation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 2449: An Act establishing the Blue Star Family license plate

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2449) of Bruce E. Tarr and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to establish the Blue Star Family license plate. Transportation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes Blue Star Family license plate, symbolically recognizing military service and veterans' contributions per common state recognition practices.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 133: An Act relative to veterans retirement and pensions

This bill amends Chapter 32, Section 60 of Massachusetts law regarding veterans' retirement and pension eligibility. It removes the existing language that defined how veterans' service time affects pension calculations, specifically the rule about "creditable service" for veterans employed by state/local governments. The bill does not specify new provisions in the provided text, only the deletion of the current language. It directly affects veterans whose employment with Massachusetts government entities began before or after June 30, 1939. Without the replacement text, the specific new policy changes cannot be described from this excerpt.

Topics ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransRemoves existing pension calculation rule for veterans' service credit, likely reducing benefits without replacement provisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 119: An Act providing for prisoners of war

HD 119 amends tax law to exempt income earned by prisoners of war from taxation. It directly affects individuals who were U.S. military personnel captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy during an armed conflict. The bill adds a lifetime tax exemption for such income, defined as payments received while held captive. This provision applies solely to the income of qualifying former POWs and does not alter other benefits or rights. The change is limited to tax treatment, not policy regarding POW care or compensation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts POWs' income from taxation, providing tax relief per bill's tax law amendment.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts POW veterans' captive income from taxes, directly expanding their financial benefits per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 120: An Act relative to courtesy retail parking spaces designed for non-handicapped veterans

This bill allows towns and cities to designate parking spaces in large retail parking lots for veterans who own vehicles with special veteran registration plates. Municipalities can reserve up to two spaces in lots with over 1,000 spaces, plus one additional space for every 500 more spaces beyond that threshold. The spaces must display clear signage stating "Veteran Parking Only" and authorize removal of unauthorized vehicles at the owner's expense. Violating the rule incurs a $100 fine, but this is not considered a surchargeable offense. The law applies specifically to non-handicapped veterans using designated plates, affecting retail parking facilities statewide.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides designated parking spaces for veterans with special plates, recognizing service through a tangible benefit and clear signage requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 165: An Act relative to tax relief for low-income seniors and veterans

This bill amends Massachusetts law to provide vehicle tax relief for low-income seniors and veterans. It exempts from the motor vehicle excise tax one personal vehicle owned or leased by: (1) residents over 65 with annual income at or below the federal poverty guideline, or (2) veterans (as defined in Chapter 4) with income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. Once approved by local assessors, the exemption requires no further proof of eligibility in subsequent years, though it may be revoked if eligibility is later found to have been misrepresented. The policy directly affects qualifying seniors and veterans who own or lease a single personal vehicle.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for low-income seniors/veterans, reducing their tax burden and aligning with fiscal support for vulnerable groups95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from vehicle taxes if income ≤100% federal poverty level, directly providing financial relief as a veteran benefit.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 204: An Act relative to veterans' buyback

HD 204 amends Massachusetts retirement laws to provide veterans with a second opportunity to purchase service credit they previously missed. It directly affects veterans in state retirement systems who failed to make a required buyback purchase within the original 180-day window after entering service. The bill extends the deadline to one year from the act's effective date, allowing eligible veterans to apply once for this purchase. Retirement systems must also send written notices about this opportunity to all active members within 90 days of the law taking effect.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends deadline for veterans to purchase missed service credit in retirement systems, enabling access to benefits they previously missed.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 266: An Act to increase the annuity for disabled veterans and their families

This bill increases the annual annuity payment for disabled veterans and their families from $2,000 to $5,000. It amends Section 6B of Chapter 115 of the General Laws by replacing the figure "$2,000" with "$5,000" in three specific lines of the statute. The change directly affects veterans and families currently receiving this annuity under the existing law. The policy adjustment is a straightforward increase to the payment amount without altering eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases annual annuity for disabled veterans from $2,000 to $5,000, expanding financial benefits without restrictions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 598: 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 ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates full-time veterans' staff in large municipalities, strengthening service consistency and accessibility per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 611: An Act relative to free parking for veterans

This bill (HD 611) modifies Massachusetts parking laws to prevent cities and towns from charging fees or imposing penalties on veterans who display special veteran license plates. It amends sections of Chapter 40 and Chapter 90 to explicitly state that no penalty, fee, or violation fine may be applied for parking longer than permitted or for parking in general when a veteran's vehicle shows these designated plates. The law applies to all municipalities in Massachusetts, including Boston and Cambridge, and directly affects veterans who already hold the distinctive number plates authorized under Chapter 90, Section 2. It does not create new parking benefits but removes existing penalties for eligible veterans using their designated plates.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves parking fees/penalties for veterans with special plates, directly expanding benefits and recognizing service through state law.95% confidence

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