Thank you to all of our veterans for your sacrifices to serve us and keep us safe. The Massachusetts House and Senate recently passed legislation (VALOR Act II) to expand benefits, increase access to services and strengthen the recognition and honor given to our service men and women.
“This omnibus veterans’ bill integrates common-sense proposals from my colleagues and the veterans community as a whole,” said Senator Rush (D-West Roxbury), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “The reforms we have enacted and studies we have undertaken will make meaningful difference in the lives of Massachusetts service members. Without question, the Legislature and Administration have done more for our veterans in the past few years than during any other period in the last half-century. This is a legacy we should be proud of and strive to emulate in the future.”
To assist students who are called to active duty, this bill allows students who are unable to complete their coursework the option to complete the course at a later date or withdraw with a full refund of fees and tuition. If the student decides to withdraw, the academic record must reflect that the withdrawal was due to active military service.
This bill also requires the Division of Professional Licensure, the Department of Public Health and boards of registration to waive license and certification fees for service members and their spouses in areas where they have received training in the field. In addition, this bill allows private sector employers to prefer veterans and spouses of 100% disabled veterans in their hiring practices.
To aid disabled veterans and allow them to function more independently in their homes, this bill requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and Department of Veterans’ Services to establish guidelines for a veterans’ home modification program.
The VALOR Act that was passed by the Legislature in 2012 created an option for cities and towns to opt-in to a program allowing veterans to volunteer services in exchange for a reduction of real property tax bills. This legislation builds on the VALOR Act and extends the volunteer veteran property tax credit to the spouse of a veteran who is deceased or disabled.
This bill also does the following:
· Updates the design of the license plate for individuals who have been awarded the Order of the Purple Heart to also read, “Combat Wounded,” to clearly characterize the nature of this honor;
· Creates a new “Supporting our Veterans” license plate in honor of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces;
· Expands the award qualifications for the Commonwealth’s Medal of Liberty to include service men and women who die in service in a designated combat area in the line of duty
· Prohibits a person from claiming to fundraise for a designated veterans’ charitable organization when donations would benefit a different organization;
· Creates a buffer zone of 500 feet for demonstrations at any military funeral; and increases penalties for such demonstrations
