Chapter 115 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 15 the following section:-

WOMEN’S VETERANS NETWORK.

Section 16. (a) There shall be within the department of veterans' services a women’s veterans network. The office shall: (1) perform outreach to improve women veterans' awareness of eligibility for federal and state veterans' services and benefits; (2) review programs, research projects, and other initiatives designed to address or meet the needs of women veterans; (3) make recommendations to the secretary of veterans’ services to improve benefits and services for women veterans; (4) incorporate women veterans' issues in strategic planning concerning benefits and services; (5) create and distribute women veterans benefits information; and (6) create online resources for women veterans. The office shall employ a women’s veterans coordinator to assist in the programming and outreach to women veterans. Said employee shall work with the Department of Veterans’ Services, the Women Veterans’ Network Steering Committee, and Veteran Services Officers to develop documentation that explains benefits available to women veterans and how to access said benefits. Benefit documents shall be available on the department’s open website and said benefits shall be disseminated to women veterans. 

(b) Annually, not later than November 1, the office shall submit a report to the general court on progress made in identification and outreach to women veterans residing in Massachusetts. The report shall include findings relative to, but not limited to: (i) demographics of women veterans identified in Massachusetts; (ii) summation of veteran outreach events designed to connect women veterans; and (iii) documents provided to said veterans. The office shall submit the report to the governor and to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate.