Bill > H3500

This bill amends existing laws to promote fairness and transparency of organizations supporting military personnel and their families in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Establishing the Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund, an expendable trust funded by public and private sources, 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, with expenses like food, housing, utilities, and medical services. 2. Requiring the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Services to procure and award the administration of the grant program from the Fund to qualified non-profit organizations that are principally focused on providing aid to Massachusetts military service members and their families, and are headquartered in the Commonwealth. 3. Mandating the awarded organizations to submit annual reports detailing the expenditure of the funds, including the amount of assistance provided, the reasons for eligibility, and the remaining balance, with certain confidential information protected. 4. Authorizing the Secretary to identify a suitable charitable organization to administer the grants if the awarded organizations lose their status or cease to exist.

Military Affairs and Security

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H3500