Bill > S2337

This bill aims to promote fairness and transparency of organizations supporting military personnel and their families. It makes the following key changes: 1. It establishes the Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund, an expendable trust to help members of the Massachusetts National Guard and Massachusetts residents who are members of the U.S. armed forces reserves called to active duty after 9/11, and their families, to cover expenses like food, housing, utilities, and medical services. The fund will be funded through the state's income tax and private donations. 2. It requires the Secretary of Veterans' Services to procure and award the administration of the grant program from the Fund to qualified non-profit organizations every two years. These organizations must be principally focused on providing aid to Massachusetts military members and their families, and be headquartered in the Commonwealth. 3. The awarded organizations must submit annual reports to the state detailing the expenditure of the funds, including the amount of assistance provided, the reasons for assistance, and the remaining balance. This information will be publicly available, except for the names, addresses, and deployment locations of recipients, which will be kept confidential. 4. If the awarded organizations lose their charitable status or cease to exist, the Secretary of Veterans' Services must identify a new charitable organization to administer the grants.

Military Affairs and Security

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2337