Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide forthwith benefits to certain veterans, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 115 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2010 official edition is hereby amended by inserting after section 5, the following section:-

Section 5A.  A veteran who has either: 1) lost a limb or limbs or 2) lost the use of a limb or limbs, while serving in the military, shall receive benefits for the purpose of home modification from the commonwealth. The benefit provided to said veteran shall be used to provide any modification, including but not limited to special fixtures or movable facilities, made necessary by the nature of the veteran's disability. Said benefit shall, subject to appropriation, be available for the modification of every owner-occupied or rented dwelling, dwelling unit, mobile dwelling unit or rooming house unit in which the veteran resides and shall not exceed $75,000. The commissioner of veterans’ services shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the identification of eligible veterans and the awarding of home modification benefits.