Bill > H3874

This bill modifies the Veterans' Bonus Division law to expand and clarify eligibility for veterans' bonuses in Massachusetts. It defines specific time periods for several military conflicts, including World War II (September 16, 1940 to July 25, 1947), the Korean Emergency (June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955), the Vietnam Conflict (July 1, 1958 to May 17, 1975), and the Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 to April 10, 1991). The bill updates language to allow veterans who are currently serving, not just those who have served, to potentially qualify for bonuses. It removes the previous requirement that veterans must have been residents of Massachusetts for at least 6 months before entering military service, instead simply requiring that their domicile (legal residence) be Massachusetts. Importantly, the bill also includes a provision ensuring that veterans who were previously discharged under other than honorable conditions specifically due to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status are now eligible for bonuses. The bill also makes several technical corrections to existing language and repeals several older acts related to veterans' bonuses. Most provisions will take effect immediately, with one specific section (Section 2) scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Military Affairs and Security

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3874