Bill > H3150

This bill requires the Secretary of Veterans and Federal Affairs to create regulations for the training and certification of local veteran service officers and agents, who are individuals appointed to assist veterans with accessing benefits. These regulations will include a process for penalizing municipalities or individuals who do not comply. New appointees will have 12 months to get certified, and currently appointed individuals will have 12 months after the regulations are published. Certification must be renewed every five years. To become certified, candidates must be locally appointed, pass a test developed by the Secretary that covers various veteran benefits and resources, and the Secretary will work with the Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association to create this training and testing, offering it at least twice a year. The Commonwealth will recognize those who meet these requirements as certified. The Secretary will also set standards for ongoing training and support, and certified officers and agents will be supervised and evaluated by their appointing authorities. Additionally, the Secretary will provide training and testing to individuals working directly for certified veteran service officers or agents if requested by a municipality or district.