Bill > S3075

This bill aims to: 1. Establish new state holidays to recognize the founding anniversaries of the U.S. Army, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard, and recommend that these days be observed by the public through flag displays and commemorative exercises. 2. Classify members of the U.S. armed forces, their spouses, and their unemancipated dependents as Massachusetts residents for the purpose of in-state tuition and admission at public higher education institutions in the state. 3. Create a Massachusetts National Guard Family Education Program to allow National Guard members to transfer their tuition benefits to their dependents. 4. Establish a Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity to be awarded to the next of kin of service members or veterans who died due to service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or exposure to harmful toxins, herbicides, or materials. 5. Provide tax credits to small businesses and partnerships that hire members of the Massachusetts National Guard. 6. Require schools to accommodate military-connected students whose parents are being relocated to the state under military orders, allowing them to enroll remotely and without providing proof of residency until 10 days after attendance. 7. Create a "Military Spouse Certificate" to expedite the licensing of out-of-state teachers who are spouses of service members stationed in the state or a neighboring state. 8. Require funeral directors to provide information on veteran funeral and burial benefits before discussing pricing. 9. Establish a commission to study and recommend a suitable memorial for Deborah Samson, the official heroine of the Commonwealth during the War of Independence. 10. Encourage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to enhance and simplify the registration process for the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.

Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs (J), Senate Committee on Ways and Means (S)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S3075