Press Room

An Act to enhance access, inclusion, support and equity for military connected families boosts supports for the families of military servicemembers based in Massachusetts and thereby helps boost federal investment in Massachusetts military installations, which are key regional economic drivers.

The details of the legislation are below.

Promoting Economic Development Through Federal Investment

Encourages Increased Investment in Massachusetts. Makes changes to help boost Massachusetts’ rating on the Department of Defense scorecard, a key metric that factors into the federal government’s decisions about where to increase or maintain spending for military bases, which has a significant impact on regional economies. Massachusetts is currently one of the top 10 states for defense contract spending. More than 57,000 Massachusetts jobs are supported by the six military installations located here.

Supporting Education for Military Families

Guarantees a Seat in the Classroom for Military Children. Allows children with a guardian in the military to remain in their current school when their parent is temporarily transferred in compliance with official orders. The student would be
able to remain at that school until they complete its highest grade level.

Prioritizes Smooth Transitions for Special Education Students. Creates a smooth transition pathway for students who receive special education services and have a guardian in the military. Requires that local school districts ensure such new
students are connected to services in a timely manner, and that the services are comparable to what was offered by their previous district.

Strengthening Justice Around Military Bases

Promotes Personal Safety for People in Need of Protective Orders. Allows military protective orders to be admissible as evidence in proceedings for certain temporary domestic violence restraining orders.

Shifts Juvenile Cases to State Authorities. Opens a pathway for federal courts to transfer juvenile cases to Massachusetts courts for offenses that occur on military bases or installations. Establishes concurrent jurisdiction between state and federal
courts, if the offense is a crime under both state and federal law, for juvenile offenses committed on military bases.