Bill > H3151

This bill proposes changes to how veterans' agents and service officers are appointed and protected in Massachusetts. Specifically, it amends Section 3 of Chapter 115 of the General Laws to require the Mayor of each city (except Boston) and the selectmen of each town to appoint a veterans' agent/veterans' service officer to handle the distribution of veterans' benefits. For towns with a part-time officer, the town clerk will assist applicants and forward their applications. The bill also allows two or more neighboring towns to jointly appoint a full-time officer and necessary staff, with the cost shared among them, subject to approval from the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these appointments do not automatically create civil service positions. However, it provides significant job protection for individuals who are certified as trained veterans' agents/service officers by the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services and have served for at least three years; these individuals will have the same rights and protections against involuntary separation as veterans under section 9A of chapter 30 of the General Laws, even if their previous appointments were for a set duration.