Bill > H4873

This bill aims to support veterans in several ways: 1. It requires the Department of Public Health to develop educational materials about the health effects of exposure to chemicals from open burn pits during overseas military deployments, and ensure this information is made available to healthcare providers and veterans. It also requires the state to monitor the latest research on this issue and maintain a confidential database of exposed service members and veterans. 2. It directs the Commissioners of Veterans' Services, Public Health, and the Adjutant General to contact and encourage Massachusetts National Guard members and veterans who may have been exposed to open burn pits to register with the VA's Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. It also requests the VA enhance the registry's accessibility. 3. It establishes a National Guard Family Education Program to allow Guard members to share their state tuition waivers with dependents. 4. It designates June 14 (Army), September 18 (Air Force), December 13 (National Guard), and August 4 (Coast Guard) as annual days of observance in the Commonwealth. 5. It prohibits municipalities from publicly identifying veterans who owe back taxes, and requires funeral directors to provide information on veterans' burial benefits. 6. It allows the state Gaming Commission to issue limited slot machine licenses to eligible veterans' organizations. 7. It requires the UMass Medical School to develop a training program on military culture and veteran issues for counselors at public colleges and universities. 8. It establishes a special commission to investigate and recommend a memorial for Deborah Samson, the official heroine of Massachusetts. 9. It creates a Veteran Equality Review Board to help veterans who were discharged due to their sexual orientation under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to access state veterans' benefits.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4873