Bill > H3871

This bill updates the legal definition of a "veteran" in Massachusetts by expanding and clarifying who qualifies for veteran status. The new definition now includes people who served on active duty in Uniformed Services or full-time national guard/reserve duty under specific federal code sections, with an honorable or general discharge. It also extends veteran status to American Merchant Marine members who served in armed conflict between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, and reserve component members who have served at least six years as active drilling members. Additionally, the bill covers individuals who were awarded a service-connected disability by the U.S. Veterans Administration or died in service under honorable conditions. The bill provides comprehensive definitions of "Active Duty," which includes full-time service and duty training periods where an individual was disabled or died, and expands "Armed Forces" to include all military branches and their reserve components. The bill also explicitly lists specific circumstances under which a person would not be considered a veteran, such as those with dishonorable discharges, enemy aliens who withdrew citizenship intentions, willful deserters, and those with only auxiliary or temporary reserve service.

Budget and Finance, Military Affairs and Security

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3871