HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4240        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Shirley B. Arriaga

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying resolve:

Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4240        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3710 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood.

Resolved, There shall be a special legislative commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to study the effects combat experience has on motherhood and parenting for female veterans. The special commission shall examine female veterans who have experienced combat and whether that experience has either short or long-term impacts on motherhood. The special commission shall examine the children of female veterans who experienced combat and any lifelong effects it may have on those children living in the commonwealth.

The special commission shall consist of: (i) the chairs of the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs, who shall be co-chairs for the commission; (ii) the chairs of the joint committee mental health, substance use and recovery; (iii) the secretary of veterans’ services or a designee; (vi) the commissioner of mental health or a designee; (vii) 1 person to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, whom shall be a veteran; (v) 1 person to be appointed by the president of the senate, whom shall be a veteran; and (vi) 1 person appointed by the governor, whom shall have specialized knowledge of female veterans serving in combat.

All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this resolve. The chairpersons shall meet with the special commission not later than 60 days after the effective date of this resolve.

Not later than 18 months after the enactment of this resolve, the special commission shall submit a report and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs.