Bill > H3890

This bill amends Massachusetts law regarding death and disability compensation for members of the armed forces and organized militia by making several key changes. The bill renames references from "officer or enlisted person of the Massachusetts organized militia" to "members of the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Massachusetts organized militia" throughout the statute. It establishes a formal Death Gratuity Board to review compensation claims and defines "Qualified Duty Status" as State Active Duty and service under federal Titles 10 and 32. The bill expands the scope of compensation eligibility by clarifying that members who die while performing lawfully ordered duties without willful neglect can receive death gratuity benefits, with the Board considering death or injury from present or past qualified duty status. Additionally, the bill modifies several subsection letters to accommodate the new language and adds a new provision requiring the Board to make recommendations to the Adjutant General. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive and clear guidelines for compensating military personnel and militia members who are injured or killed while serving the Commonwealth or the United States.

Military Affairs and Security

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3890