Bill S.2817

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2817

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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SECTION 1. Section 34 of chapter 2 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 2. Section 41 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 47 and 94, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 3. Subsection (d) of section 16DD of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 29, the second time it appears, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 4. Section 105 of said chapter 6A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 1, the words “a department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- an executive office.

SECTION 5. Section 4G of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7 and 8, the words “the department of veterans’ services,”.

SECTION 6. Section 61 of said chapter 7 is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 124 and 125, as so appearing, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 7. Section 78 of chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the word "Reserve", in line 11, as so appearing, the following words:- , United States Space Force.

SECTION 8. Section 17 of chapter 11 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 21, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 9. Section 1G of chapter 15 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “students”, in line 86, the following words:- , including military-connected students.

SECTION 10. Chapter 15D of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 7 the following section:-

Section 7A. For the purposes of this section, “military installation” shall mean a base, camp, post, station, yard, center or other activity under the jurisdiction of the secretary of a United States military department or, in the case of an activity in a foreign country, under the operational control of the secretary of a United States military department or the United States Secretary of Defense, regardless of the duration of operational control.

Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, sections 6 and 7 shall not apply to a child care provider on a military installation or a facility licensed or certified as a family child care provider by a branch of the United States Department of Defense or by the United States Coast Guard.

SECTION 11. Section 1 of chapter 15E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 6, the word “sections” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- chapters.

SECTION 12. Said section 1 of said chapter 15E, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “Force”, in line 69, the following words:- , Space Force.

SECTION 13. Section 2EEEEE of chapter 29 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 14, the words “department of veterans” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office of veterans’.

SECTION 14. Section 49 of chapter 31 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 14 and 15, the words “home in the city of Chelsea” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes.

SECTION 15. Paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the fourth subparagraph and inserting in place thereof the following subparagraph:-

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a member in service of a retirement system as defined in section 1 shall be provided written notice by the retirement board upon entry into service that if they qualify as a veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States, they shall be entitled to credit for active service in the armed services of the United States; provided, however, that such active service shall not be credited until such member, prior to or within 1 year of vesting pursuant to this chapter, has paid into the annuity savings fund of such system, in 1 sum or in installments, upon such terms and conditions as the board may prescribe, makeup payments, for each year of creditable service sought, of an amount equal to 10 per cent of the regular annual compensation of the member when said member entered the retirement system; provided further, that such creditable service shall not be construed to include service for more than 4 years; and provided further, that such creditable service shall not be allowed for any period of active service for which said veteran has received credit pursuant to this paragraph. This paragraph shall apply to national guard and active reserve personnel, both former and present. Creditable service time, both enlisted and commissioned, may be applied toward retirement on a ratio of 5 years of national guard service or 5 years of active reserve service substitutable for each year of active service. National guard and active reserve personnel shall not be precluded from making said purchase if they qualify as a veteran after vesting or if they reach the maximum of 4 years of eligible service purchase after vesting and qualifying as a veteran; provided, however, that they enter into a purchase agreement within 5 years of the last occurring event.

SECTION 16. Section 15 of chapter 33 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

(j) There shall be a military spouse liaison appointed by the adjutant general who shall conduct outreach to and advocate on behalf of military spouses residing in the commonwealth. The duties of the military spouse liaison shall include, but not be limited to: (i) providing assistance and information to military spouses seeking professional licenses and credentials or other employment the commonwealth; (ii) coordinating research on issues facing military spouses; (iii) creating informational materials to assist military spouses and their families; (iv) providing recommendations to assist spouses in accessing high quality child care; (v) developing resources in coordination with military installations to increase access to high quality child care for military families; and (vi) assisting military spouses with finding employment in relevant sectors.

SECTION 17. Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after clause Twenty-second H the following 2 clauses:-

Twenty-second I. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the commissioner of revenue to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, an abatement granted pursuant clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be increased annually by an amount equal to the increase in the cost of living as determined by the Consumer Price Index for such year. The department of revenue shall annually inform each city or town that accepts this clause of the amount of such increase.

Twenty-second J. In a city or town that accepts this clause and is certified by the commissioner of revenue to be assessing all property at full and fair cash valuation, a taxpayer who otherwise qualifies for an exemption pursuant to clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F shall be granted an additional exemption the amount of which shall not exceed 100 per cent of the exemption for which the taxpayer qualifies, as may be determined by the legislative body of the city or town, subject to its charter, not later than the beginning of the fiscal year to which the additional exemption shall commence; provided, however, that the additional exemption shall be uniform for all taxpayers who qualify for an exemption under said clause Twenty-second, Twenty-second A, Twenty-second B, Twenty-second C, Twenty-second E or Twenty-second F. Once accepted, the amount of the exemption shall continue until amended by the legislative body of the city or town. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the exemption shall be in addition to any exemption allowable pursuant to this section; provided, however, the taxable valuation of the property receiving an exemption pursuant to this clause, after all applicable exemptions, shall not be reduced below 10 per cent of its full and fair cash valuation, except through the applicability of clause Eighteenth. Acceptance of this clause by a city or town shall not increase the amount that the city or town otherwise would have been reimbursed by the commonwealth pursuant to the clause. The additional exemption contained within this clause shall not be implemented in any year in which the city or town has also accepted section 5C1/2.

SECTION 18. Subsection (u) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1113 and 1130, the figure “$2,000” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500.

SECTION 19. Section 38GG of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 8 and 24, the figure “$2,000” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500.

SECTION 20. Section 6 of chapter 64H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (u) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

(u) Sale of a motor vehicle purchased by and for the use of a person who has suffered loss, or permanent loss of use, of both legs or both arms or 1 leg and 1 arm or by and for the use of a veteran who has been determined to be permanently disabled by the medical advisory board established under section 8C of chapter 90 and has been issued a plate displaying the words “Disabled Veteran” or a Purple Heart distinctive registration plate pursuant to section 2J of said chapter 90; provided, however, that this exemption shall apply to 1 motor vehicle owned and registered only for the personal, noncommercial use of such person. A person who is otherwise eligible for this exemption and who was previously issued a Purple Heart distinctive registration plate shall not be required to forfeit such plate to remain eligible for this exemption.

SECTION 21. Chapter 69 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 38. (a) For the purposes of this section, “military-connected student” shall mean a student who is an unemancipated person whose parent or guardian: (i) is a current or reserve member of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, United States Space Force, Army Nurse Corps, Navy Nurse Corps, United States Air Force, Air National Guard or Army National Guard; or (ii) a member of a military or reserve force under clause (i) who was killed in the line of duty.

(b) A school district shall provide appropriate support services to a military-connected student if their parent or guardian is called or ordered to active duty pursuant to Title 10 or 32 of the United States Code and said parent or guardian notifies the district of such active duty or a student’s parent or guardian is a member of a military or reserve force and was killed in the line of duty. The school district shall provide such student with informational materials and resources and access to a: (i) certified school counselor; (ii) certified school psychologist; or (iii) school social worker.

(c) The department shall coordinate with the military division of the commonwealth to carry out subsection (b), including posting information about military family resources to the department’s website and providing informational materials for use by school districts to inform parents and guardians of the supports available under said subsection (b).

(d) A school district may notify a teacher of the enrollment of a military-connected student at the request of the military-connected student’s parent or guardian to provide the teacher with the opportunity to monitor a military-connected student’s level of academic engagement and provide support as needed.

SECTION 22. Section 4 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 32, the word “department”, the second time it appears, and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 23. Said section 4 of said chapter 71, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 39, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 24. Section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 172 to 186, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “pleasure passenger vehicles owned by veterans who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration, has been determined to have a service-connected disability rating of 60 per cent or greater and by reason of service in the armed forces of the United States have suffered loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than twenty degrees in the better eye, or any other disability or handicap of such veterans which may be determined by the medical advisory board as established by section eight C, and”.

SECTION 25. The seventh paragraph of said section 2 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the third and fourth sentences.

SECTION 26. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 246 to 258, inclusive, as so appearing, the words “and the words “Disabled Veteran” for a pleasure passenger vehicle or a pick-up truck owned or leased by and used by a veteran who, according to the records of the United States Veterans’ Administration, by reason of service in the armed forces of the United States has suffered loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet; or loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes of the following status: central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater that 20 degrees in the better eye, or any other disability or handicap”.

SECTION 27. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out the twelfth paragraph, as so appearing.

SECTION 28. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out the fifteenth to seventeenth paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.

SECTION 29. Said section 2 of said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by striking out the nineteenth to twenty-second paragraphs, inclusive, as so appearing.

SECTION 30. Said chapter 90 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2I the following section:-

Section 2J. (a) The registrar shall design and maintain a series of distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who have served in the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military service as provided herein.

(b) An individual that meets the definition of a veteran under clause forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4 or section 1 of chapter 115 or who is eligible for annuity provided under section 6C of said chapter 115, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence of such status as determined by the registrar, shall be eligible for and entitled to a veteran license plate bearing the words “VETERAN”.

(c) The series of distinct and individual license plates recognizing those who have served in the military and for those who deserve special recognition relating to or deriving from military service shall include license plates for:

(i) veterans ranked with a disability rating of not less than 60 per cent by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, including those who have suffered the loss of a limb, permanent visual acuity loss of 20/200 in an eye, or are otherwise determined to be disabled or handicapped by the medical advisory board established in section 8C;

(ii) veterans who have been captured and incarcerated by foreign forces in conflict or held as prisoners of war;

(iii) veterans who are members of the Legion of Valor of the United States of America Inc.;

(iv) veterans awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate recognizing that status, including, subject to availability, the use of the initials of the award recipient followed by CMH signifying their award.

(v) veterans awarded the Purple Heart medal shall be entitled to a distinctive plate indicating that status which shall include the words “COMBAT WOUNDED”;

(vi) survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status and bearing the word “VETERAN”;

(vii) residents of the commonwealth serving in any branch of the national guard shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status;

(viii) residents of the commonwealth awarded the medal of liberty pursuant to section 67A of chapter 33 shall be entitled to a distinctive plate reflecting that status; and

(ix) The next of kin of a member of the armed forces, in possession of a Gold Star Lapel Button under the regulations of the United States Secretary of Defense, shall be entitled to a Gold Star Family distinctive plate. Said button shall not be an eligibility requirement for those who have presented other satisfactory evidence of their status, as determined by the registrar.

(d) A veteran who has served in the armed forces and is entitled to a veteran license plate shall also be entitled to the issuance of a decal or emblem denoting their branch of service. Residents of the commonwealth who are veterans and who identify as female shall be entitled to a distinctive decal or emblem, which the registry of motor vehicles shall design and issue.

(e) The following individuals shall be entitled to a distinctive plate, decal or emblem denoting their award status:

(i) owners of private vehicles awarded 1 of the following decorations for valor or gallantry: (i) the Silver Star; (ii) the Bronze Star; (iii) the Distinguished Flying Cross; (iv) the Distinguished Service Cross; (v) the Navy Cross; (vi) the Air Force Cross; or (vii) any other similar award designated by the secretary of veterans’ services; and

(ii) residents of the commonwealth who qualify as a Gold Star parent, child, sibling, grandchild or spouse.

(f) Veterans entitled to a distinctive plate shall be entitled to have a distinctive emblem or decal reflecting service in Operation Enduring Freedom or the receipt of the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, a Persian Gulf Campaign Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal or the Prisoner of War Medal.

(g) A person who is widowed by a veteran who received any special recognition or status pursuant to this section shall not be required to forfeit their distinctive license plate, decal or emblem unless they cancel or fail to renew the registration for said license plate. If a veteran was eligible for special recognition or status under this section but did not apply for such special recognition or status before their death, the person widowed by said deceased veteran may apply on behalf of the deceased veteran for special recognition or status pursuant to this section.

(h) Special recognition or status pursuant to this section shall entitle the recipient to not more than 1 distinctive license plate, decal or emblem; provided, however, that such recipient may opt to have the distinctive plate, decal or emblem issued in a form suitable for use on a motorcycle.

(i) Any plate to which an individual is entitled pursuant to this section shall be issued without fee other than the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles and motorcycles. State-operated veterans’ homes shall be reimbursed annually from the General Fund for any loss of revenue for any license plate, decal or emblem provided free of charge pursuant to this section.

SECTION 31. Section 244 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as inserted by section 14 of chapter 154 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2, 28, the second time it appears, 35 and 38, the word “commissioner” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- secretary.

SECTION 32. Said section 244 of said chapter 111, as so inserted, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 43, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 33. Section 1 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “'Dependent” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-

“Dependent”, the spouse, widowed person, child or parent of a veteran, including any person who stood in the relationship of a parent to such veteran for the 5 years preceding the commencement of the veteran’s wartime service; provided, however, that no child of a veteran who is more than 18 years of age shall be deemed a dependent, unless the child meets the criteria established for emancipation pursuant to section 28 of chapter 208 or section 9 of chapter 209C or unless the child is mentally or physically unable to support themselves after attaining the age of 23.

SECTION 34. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 25, the word “his”, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the applicant’s.

SECTION 35. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 26, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the applicant.

SECTION 36. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definition of “Veteran” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-

“Veteran”, a person who: (a) is a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4; (b) served on active duty in the armed forces for not less than 90 days and whose last discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; (c) served on active duty, including active duty solely for training purposes, in the armed forces and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; (d) served in the national guard or as a reservist in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (e) is determined to be a veteran according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; provided, however, that in any case, the service of such person qualified under clause (a) through clause (e), inclusive, was entered into or served in the commonwealth or such person has resided in the commonwealth for not less than 1 day, except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran’s dependents.

SECTION 37. Said section 1 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 54 and 55, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter four,”.

SECTION 38. Section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1 and 2, the words “as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter four”.

SECTION 39. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 7 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- the secretary’s.

SECTION 40. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 8, 12, 20, 66, 82, 103, 123, 131, 139 and 150, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:-The secretary.

SECTION 41. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 12, 63, 71, 89, 98, 113, 118 and 119, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.

SECTION 42. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 13, 14, 61, 118, 125, 129, 134 and 142, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.

SECTION 43. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 39, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the person’s.

SECTION 44. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- a party’s.

SECTION 45. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the sixth paragraph.

SECTION 46. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 82, the words “him or by his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary or the secretary’s.

SECTION 47. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 98, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the applicant’s.

SECTION 48. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 153 and 156, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- a.

SECTION 49. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 155, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- chair.

SECTION 50. Said section 2 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following 3 paragraphs:-

The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a medical assistance benefit in addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the medical assistance benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded resources before seeking aid under this paragraph. The medical assistance benefit shall include, but not be limited to, covering the cost of necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions and other such treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.

The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a behavioral health assistance benefit in addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the behavioral health assistance benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded resources before seeking aid under this paragraph. The behavioral health assistance benefit shall include, but not be limited to, coverage for the cost of those necessary outpatient behavioral health assessments, evaluations, visits, prescriptions and other such treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.

The secretary shall provide, subject to appropriation, a dental assistance benefit in addition to the other benefits provided in this chapter. A recipient of the dental assistance benefit shall, where applicable, make use of private, state or federally-funded resources before seeking aid under this paragraph. The dental assistance benefit shall include, but not be limited to, coverage for the cost of those necessary medical visits, procedures, prescriptions and other such treatment as the secretary shall determine through regulations. The secretary shall, by regulation or otherwise, make provision to keep the program efficient and economical.

SECTION 51. Section 2B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7 and 8, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- a.

SECTION 52. Section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 17, the word “his”.

SECTION 53. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 18, the words “in behalf of a civil war” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- on behalf of a.

SECTION 54. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 18 and 19, the words “his wife or widow” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- a veteran’s spouse or widowed person.

SECTION 55. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary.

SECTION 56. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the agent’s.

SECTION 57. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the veteran.

SECTION 58. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the veteran’s.

SECTION 59. Said section 3 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 25 and 27, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the agent.

SECTION 60. Section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 4, 5, 8 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the applicants.

SECTION 61. Said section 4 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 14, the word “widow” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- widowed person.

SECTION 62. Section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2 and 55, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran.

SECTION 63. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 10, inclusive, the words “unless he has actually resided within the commonwealth for 1 day preceding the date of his application for such benefits, nor to any dependent of a veteran unless he has actually resided within the commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of his application for such benefits, nor unless the veteran of whom he is a dependent has actually resided within the commonwealth continuously for three years next preceding the date of such dependent’s application for such benefits” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- or to a dependent of a veteran unless the veteran or the dependent has actually resided within the commonwealth for 1 day preceding the date of the application for such benefits.

SECTION 64. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 16, 25, 26, 45, 59, 62, 63, 65 and 66, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- their.

SECTION 65. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 22 and 74, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- them.

SECTION 66. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 27, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the applicant.

SECTION 67. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “himself” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- themselves.

SECTION 68. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out in lines 39, 43, 51, 54, 102 and 103, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.

SECTION 69. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 42, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary’s.

SECTION 70. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 57, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the veteran.

SECTION 71. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 59, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- They.

SECTION 72. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 61, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- they.

SECTION 73. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 92, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the veterans’ agent’s.

SECTION 74. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 95, 99 and 103, the word “mother” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent.

SECTION 75. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 100, the word “her” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the parent’s.

SECTION 76. Said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 106, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary.

SECTION 77. The seventh paragraph of said section 5 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- An increase in income from a cost-of-living adjustment made to social security, supplemental security income or social security disability insurance shall not render a recipient ineligible for benefits under this chapter in the year that the cost-of-living adjustment was issued.

SECTION 78. Section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2, 8, 11, 57, 60 and 63 and 64, the words “mother or father” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- parent.

SECTION 79. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 16 and 17, the words “mother’s or father’s” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- parent’s.

SECTION 80. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 33, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- the person.

SECTION 81. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 40, the words “mother and father” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- parents.

SECTION 82. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 41, the words “in his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- within the secretary’s.

SECTION 83. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary’s.

SECTION 84. Said section 5A of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 47 and 48, the words “the petition in his own name” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- a petition.

SECTION 85. Section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the word “him”.

SECTION 86. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 12, each time it appears, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.

SECTION 87. Said section 6 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 15 and 19, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the secretary.

SECTION 88. Section 6A of said chapter 115 is hereby repealed.

SECTION 89. Section 6B of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 19, 28 and 35, the words “the sum of $2,000” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,250.

SECTION 90. Said section 6B of said chapter 115 is hereby further amended by striking out the figure “$2,250”, inserted by section 89, each time it appears, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $2,500.

SECTION 91. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 20, 29 and 35 and 36 the words “two equal payments on August and February 1” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- “1 payment on August 1.”

SECTION 92. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 21 and 30, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the veteran’s.

SECTION 93. Said section 6B of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32 the words “, provided that the surviving spouse does not remarry,”.

SECTION 94. Section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the word “He” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- The burial agent.

SECTION 95. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 8, the words “his wife, or his widow” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the veteran’s spouse, or widowed person.

SECTION 96. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 10, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the burial agent.

SECTION 97. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 12 and 14, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the burial agent.

SECTION 98. Said section 7 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 17 and 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the person’s.

SECTION 99. Section 8 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, the words “widow, or widower” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- widowed person.

SECTION 100. Section 9 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “, as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter four,”.

SECTION 101. Said chapter 115 is hereby amended by inserting after section 9 the following section:-

Section 9A. The executive office of veterans’ services shall operate, maintain and expand the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial cemetery located in the city known as the town of Agawam and the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial cemetery located in the town of Winchendon and may add new cemetery locations, subject to the availability of funds, to meet veterans’ and veteran dependents’ needs; provided, however, that the office shall maintain the cemetery grounds, facilities and infrastructure and shall manage the burial and interment services. The executive office may adopt additional rules, regulations and policies as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure the proper functioning of the cemeteries under its control.

SECTION 102. Section 10 of said chapter 115, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- such director’s.

SECTION 103. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32, the words “duties of his office” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- office’s duties.

SECTION 104. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 32, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the director’s.

SECTION 105. Said section 10 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 37, the words “his duties as treasurer of the district” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the district treasurer’s duties.

SECTION 106. Section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the mayors.

SECTION 107. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 3 and 4, the word “chairman” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- chair.

SECTION 108. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 5, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the town manager’s.

SECTION 109. Said section 11 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 24, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the treasurer’s.

SECTION 110. Section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the words “he, and his duly accredited agents,” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the director and the director’s agents.

SECTION 111. Said section 15 of said chapter 115, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 11, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- a.

SECTION 112. Section 16 of said chapter 115, inserted by section 53 of chapter 126 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by inserting after the first sentence the following sentence:- The board shall ensure that veterans receive state-based veteran benefits if they receive: (i) an other than honorable discharge on the basis of sex, race, color, religious creed, national origin, age, genetic information, ancestry, marital status or disability; or (ii) any United States Department of Veterans Affairs category eligible for a discharge upgrade, including, but not limited to, mental health conditions, military sexual trauma and traumatic brain injury.

SECTION 113. Said section 16 of said chapter 115, as so inserted, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 37, 40 and 50, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 114. Chapter 115A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 1, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 1. A person who is a veteran as defined in section 1 of chapter 115 shall be entitled to out-patient treatment at, admission to and hospitalization in a state-operated veterans' home, subject to the provisions of section 3.

SECTION 115. Section 9 of said chapter 115A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “home in the city of Chelsea” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- homes.

SECTION 116. Section 12 of said chapter 115A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 1, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 117. Said section 12 of said chapter 115A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 22, the words “department of veterans” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- executive office of veterans’.

SECTION 118. Section 3 of chapter 115B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 16 to 18, inclusive, the words “home in the city of Chelsea; and the chair of the board of trustees of the veterans’ home in the city of Holyoke” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- homes.

SECTION 119. Section 73B of chapter 272 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 18, the second time it appears, and 23, the word “department” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- executive office.

SECTION 120. Section 11 of chapter 276A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 13, the words “the department” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- the executive office.

SECTION 121. Section 3 of chapter 71 of the acts of 1996, as amended by section 2 of chapter 468 of the acts of 2002, is hereby further amended by striking out the second paragraph.

SECTION 122. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a member of a retirement system who is a member in service and a veteran who failed to make the purchase authorized in paragraph (h) of subdivision (1) of section 4 of chapter 32 of the General Laws pursuant to chapter 71 of the acts of 1996 shall be given a 1-time opportunity to apply to the retirement system to make said purchase within 1 year from the effective date of this act. Each retirement system shall provide written notice to all members in service of their potential eligibility for this purchase within 90 days of the effective date of this act.

SECTION 123. (a) The secretary of veterans’ services, in coordination with the executive office of health and human services, shall convene a working group to review alternative therapies for mental health treatments for veterans. The working group shall: (i) study whether psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed mental health disorders; (ii) evaluate literature, research trials and expert opinions to determine if psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes regarding mental health treatment for veterans; and (iii) issue recommendations regarding the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat veterans with mental health disorders in the commonwealth. As used in this section, “psychedelic therapy” shall mean the use of psilocybin, ketamine, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine under the direction of a health care provider to treat mental health disorders.

(b) The secretary shall appoint the following members to the working group: 2 members who shall represent medical centers or hospitals in the commonwealth that serve veterans; 2 members who shall represent health insurance companies; 2 members who shall represent veterans’ services organizations; 1 member who shall represent an organization currently studying the subject matter of alternative therapies for mental health treatment of veterans; and such other members with experience in behavioral health or veterans’ services as the secretary deems necessary. The secretary shall designate a chair of the working group from the membership of the group.

(c) Not later than January 1, 2025, the working group shall file a report of its findings and any recommendations with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs and the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery.

SECTION 124. Sections 18 and 19 shall take effect on taxable years beginning on January 1, 2024.

SECTION 125. Sections 20 and 24 through 30, inclusive, shall take effect 6 months after the effective date of this act.

SECTION 126. Sections 50 and 89 shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

SECTION 127. Section 90 shall take effect on July 1, 2025.