MA H4195

Bill

Relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes

Introduced
10/04/2021

In Committee
10/04/2021

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2022

Introduced Session

192nd General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at veterans’ homes in the Commonwealth. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

AI Summary

This bill aims to improve the governance, structure, and care of veterans at the Commonwealth's veterans' homes. Key provisions include: - Establishing a statewide Massachusetts Veterans' Homes Advisory Council to oversee the management and operations of state-operated veterans' homes, with responsibilities such as reviewing rules, monitoring capital projects, and developing standardized bylaws and procedures. - Requiring the Department of Public Health to conduct regular inspections of state-operated veterans' homes and making inspection reports public. - Restructuring the leadership of the veterans' homes, including the appointment of superintendents and other key positions, and requiring certain qualifications and performance reviews. - Mandating emergency preparedness plans, quarterly meetings between state officials and home leadership, and the establishment of an ombudsperson and emergency hotline to address complaints. - Requiring state-operated veterans' homes to maintain Medicare/Medicaid certification and strive for top staffing ratings. - Creating an advisory commission to recommend new designations for the Soldiers' Homes in Holyoke and Chelsea, honoring Massachusetts veterans. The bill also repeals existing laws governing the Soldiers' Homes and includes a retroactive provision related to employee mental health support.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (35)

Linda Campbell (D)*, Jim Arciero (D), Ruth Balser (D), Donnie Berthiaume (R), Michael Brady (D), Pete Capano (D), Jo Comerford (D), David DeCoste (R), Carol Doherty (D), Paul Donato (D), Anne Gobi (D), Tami Gouveia (D), Danielle Gregoire (D), Natalie Higgins (D), Adam Hinds (D), Brad Jones (R), Hannah Kane (R), Kathy LaNatra (D), Marc Lombardo (R), Joan Lovely (D), Joe McGonagle (D), Joan Meschino (D), Brian Murray (D), Tram Nguyen (D), Patrick O'Connor (R), Jerry Parisella (D), Angelo Puppolo (D), Dave Robertson (D), Mike Rush (D), Jon Santiago (D), Tom Stanley (D), Bill Straus (D), Walter Timilty (D), Susannah Whipps (I), Steve Xiarhos (R),

Last Action

Accompanied a new draft, see H4298 (on 12/20/2021)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4195

(17 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4195
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4195.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H2921	Relative to tax abatement for permanently disabled veterans	No further action taken	Similar To
H2982	To exempt certain veterans from the state tax	Accompanied a study order, see H5250	Similar To
H4298	Relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes	Amendment (as recommended by the committee on House Ways and Means) adopted	Replaced by
H4441	Relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes	Reported by H5106	Similar To
H5106	Relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes	Signed by the Governor, Chapter 144 of the Acts of 2022	Similar To
H5152	Similar Bills	See H5106	Similar To
S1672	To extend veterans retirement buyback opportunities	Accompanied a study order, see S2679	Similar To
S1692	Establishing creditable service for veterans	Accompanied a study order, see S2679	Similar To
S1744	Relative to the active service buy-back program for firefighters and police officers	Accompanied a study order, see S2679	Similar To
S2398	Relative to age restrictions for veterans applying to be police officers and firefighters	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S2408	Relative to COLA adjustments for veteran benefits	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S2412	Relative to waiving education requirements for skilled veterans to be LPNs	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S2419	Relative to protecting veterans	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S2420	Relative to shelter benefits for veterans	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S2421	Relative to tax credits for homeless veteran housing	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S2582	Relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth’s veterans’ homes	Accompanied H4441	Similar To
S906	Relative to public housing determination for veterans	Accompanied a study order, see H5276	Similar To

Bill > H4195

MA H4195

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (35)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

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