Bill > S2454

This bill makes several changes to laws related to veterans' benefits, rights, and appreciation in Massachusetts: It creates new annual proclamations for Gold Star Wives Day and Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, and prohibits employers from requiring veterans to provide their military medical or personnel records as a condition of employment, except for the DD-214 form. It increases the number of days public employees can take leave for military service from 17 to 40, and excludes various military pay and allowances from being counted as income for the purposes of veterans' benefits. The bill also allows municipalities to designate veteran-only parking spaces at city/town halls and doubles several property tax exemptions for veterans. Additionally, it exempts veterans' annuity payments from being counted as income for state assistance programs, increases the funeral expense reimbursement amount, and creates a diversion program to allow eligible veterans charged with certain crimes to participate in individualized treatment plans instead of traditional prosecution. Finally, the bill requires a study on reimbursement practices for transporting veterans to non-VA medical facilities in emergencies.

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S2454