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November 26th, 2022 – Weekly Update

Season’s Greetings Everyone, 

I hope you all had an excellent Thanksgiving and were able to see family and friends, watch some football, or maybe even get some Black Friday shopping done.  My family and I were especially thankful this holiday after the birth of my son earlier this year.  We’re already looking forward to his first Christmas as well.   

Even with the holiday, we still had a fairly busy week here in the Second Hampden and Hampshire Senate district.  On Tuesday morning, I helped judge a mock hearing for Easthampton High School’s “We the People” Club.  Led by history teacher Kelley Brown, this group of bright young students competes against other schools in civics competitions.  Last year they placed eleventh nationally and based on their performance on Tuesday, I have high hopes again this year.    

On Tuesday afternoon I also attended the annual West Springfield and Agawam Rotary Club-Thanksgiving luncheon.  This was a great event to share a good meal alongside these Rotarians and other community members who are so devoted to bettering their towns.   

That wasn’t the only thanksgiving event either this week. The Forum House in Westfield also held their annual thanksgiving meal..  This is an excellent organization that works with those who have disabilities and their employers to create workplace solutions that allow everyone to reach their maximum potential.  Thank you to all over there for the hard work that they do throughout the year and for putting this event on.  

In response to both the colder weather finally settling in and an increase in heating costs being felt across the board, the federal government recently announced a $159 million  increase in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.  This reflects a nearly 24% increase from funding in the previous fiscal year.  Last year, only one in five eligible households accessed the available funds. If you think you may be eligible and are worried about your heating bills this year, I would encourage you to apply.  You can do so at https://www.mass.gov/home-energy-assistance-programs or can reach to my office for assistance.  

My team held office hours this week on Tuesday in Russell from 11:30am to 12:30pm at the COA. Next week, we will be at the Southampton COA on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am.  Please feel free to stop by with any questions, comments, concerns, or just to say hello. 

Should you be unable to make our office hours or need assistance sooner than then, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.  I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com where you can also sign up for my newsletter! 

 
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season,  

John Velis 

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November 19th, 2022 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone, 

I hope your November is going well. The holiday season is well underway and I can’t believe that we’ve already had our first snow here in the Pioneer Valley! Thanksgiving is already next Thursday! This holiday is one of my favorites: gathering with friends and family to give thanks for all that we have is something I cherish.  

Some happy birthdays are in order this week as well; three members of the Southwick and Westfield community are officially centenarians as they reached the age of one hundred this fall. Happy Birthday to Marcia Kahn, Helen Kwasny, and Josephine Johnson. One hundred years young! My office was glad to stop by the Southwick Senior Center on Wednesday to present the three with Senate citations in honor of the milestone. 

As part of the state’s “Try Transit” program, this week it was announced that all services for the Pioneer Valley Transporation Authority will be without fare between November 25th and December 31st.  Whether you’ve never tried public transit, use it habitually, hate driving in the snow, or maybe just want to save on gas, I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to try out the Commonwealth’s largest regional transit authority. 

It was also announced this week that the Supplemental Nutrional Assistance Program, or SNAP, will now allow beneficiaries to use their services for online purchases from local grocers using the Instacart app.  Among those stores who are eligible are Geissler’s Supermarket, Stop & Shop, ALDI, Price Chopper, Price Rite Marketplace, and Big Y. This is great news, as many recipients with disabilities who are often homebound will now have equitable access to nutritious and affordable food.   

I’m also relieved to announce that during a final settlement hearing in Springfield on Monday, our Federal Courts approved the settlement for victims of the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Their payments are expected to go out in the next four to eight weeks.  No amount of money can ever bring justice or bring back their loved ones, but this is an important step in trying to right the wrong that was done and bringing these families some form of closure and compensation.   

My team held office hours this week on Monday in Chicopee from 10:00am to 11:00am at the COA and again at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am. Next week, we will be at the Russell COA on Tuesday from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Please feel free to stop by with any questions, comments, concerns, or just to say hello. 

Should you be unable to make our office hours or need assistance sooner than then, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.  I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com where you can also sign up for my newsletter! 

 
Wishing you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving,  

John Velis 

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November 12th, 2022 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone, 

I want to start off by thanking every candidate who ran this past Tuesday and every resident who got out to vote and make their voice heard.  I am so grateful to all of you for placing your continued trust in me to represent you for the next two years on Beacon Hill. It is an honor and a privilege to represent you to the Massachusetts State Senate, and I am overwhelmed by all the support I have felt this week. I’m very much looking forwards to getting back to legislating when the new formal session begins in the new year and working alongside my colleagues in federal, state, and local government to improve our communities and our Commonwealth.  

This week wasn’t all campaign work though.  Yesterday of course was Veterans Day, and I was honored to attend events across the district, including events at the Holyoke War Memorial Building, the Agawam Veterans Cemetery, and the Veterans bridge between West Springfield and Agawam. I also had the special honor of presenting residents at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home with cards made by students from all across our District. This is the third year in a row that my office has organized this initiative and we had 18 different schools participating. Thank you to all who make this tradition possible and of course all of the residents at the Home for their service.  

Thursday morning, I also attended “Bring a Vet to School Day” Assembly at the Roberta Doering School in Agawam.  This was such a great event and it’s so good to be able to engage our youth with our history and what it means to serve our country. 

As Veteran, I can say that this is one of our most important holidays.  Our Veterans have put their life on the line to protect our way of life and our freedoms.  I have worked hard for Veterans this past legislative session.  The legislature was able to pass the SPEED Act, expand of benefits for Veterans impacted by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and of course pass the Bond Bill that will fund the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.  While I’m proud of having accomplished this much, it’s just a scratch on the surface of what our Veterans deserve and this above all else is why I’m looking forward to our new legislative session.   

This week, my staff held office hours at the Agawam COA on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm.  Nex week we will be at the Chicopee COA on Monday from 10:00am to 11:00am and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00pm.  Feel free to stop by with any questions or concerns.  Hope to see you there! 

Please never hesitate to reach out to my office.  I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com where you can also sign up for my newsletter!

 
Sincerely,  

John Velis 

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November 5, 2022 – Weekly Update

Happy November Everyone, 

I hope everyone had an eventful Halloween night full of sweets. Emily, Carson, and I had an amazing time walking around Westfield looking at all the decorations and seeing everyone in their costumes. 

As a reminder, election day is this Tuesday! Voting is the fundamental way that we can all participate in our democracy. If you haven’t voted yet, I encourage you to make a plan to vote on Tuesday. You can find your polling location at: sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA 

This week folks will start receiving tax rebates as a result of the Chapter 62F ballot question that the Commonwealth triggered earlier this year. On average residents will receive about 14% back of their 2021 state income tax liability. Building on this relief, the Legislature sent a compromise Economic Development bill to the Governor’s desk this week that makes important investments in our Commonwealth and provides critical relief to our healthcare system and other sectors.  After several months in conference committee, I am especially glad that all the funding amendments I filed for our district remain in the final bill, including $1.5 million to help repair and replace the Main Street Sewer pipe system in Agawam, $100,000 for the Westfield Police Department, and $50,000 each to Westfield and Agawam to make safety and security improvements in our school systems. 

This week I attended a couple different events in West Springfield, starting off with the ribbon-cutting of Linda’s Unique Boutique Jewelry and Accessory Store on Tuesday. It’s so great to see businesses opening their doors amidst the setbacks brought on by the pandemic. On Friday I joined the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club for their donor lunch, where we thanked donors for their contributions to the Club. This morning I was back in West Springfield for the Veterans Councils annual breakfast, where I had the pleasure of speaking with fellow Veterans and service members.  

This week I also had the chance to virtually speak at the Mass Rehabilitation Commission’s Workforce Recovery symposium. The discussion was centered on how employers can support employees in their recovery, and in turn how the state can support them. It was great to hear from advocates on the topic and learn more about what we can do to support the workforce’s efforts. 

On Thursday Southampton held a ceremony for the East Street Bridge Replacement, which will allow vehicles to cross the river from Southampton to Holyoke after being closed for the better part of a year. Thanks to this $2.6 million dollar project, the town will be able to successfully renovate the old bridge and link the two towns together once more. 

This week, my office held office hours in Southwick on Wednesday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. On Monday we will be in Agawam from 11:00am to 12:00pm. You can also reach me at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920. And you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com where you can also sign up for my newsletter! 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

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Senate Passes Legislation to Help People with Disabilities Live Independently

(BOSTON – 11/03/2022) The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed two bills to help people with disabilities live independently in Massachusetts. First, An Act expanding wheelchair warranty protections for consumers with disabilities takes steps to ensure that people with physical disabilities who rely on wheelchairs are not stranded for long time periods in the event of the breakdown of an in-warranty wheelchair. Second, An Act relative to supported decision-making for agreements for certain adults with disabilities recognizes supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship, allowing certain people with disabilities to retain greater decision-making power over their lives.

“One of my proudest moments as a public servant was when I was first appointed to the City of Westfield’s Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, before I was even in the Legislature. I learned so much from that appointment about how we can improve accommodations and policies to better assist people with disabilities, and that has stuck with me throughout my legislative career,” said Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. “The bills we are passing today go a long way in supporting our disability community and ensuring that people are able to live with the independence and dignity that they deserve. I am grateful to my colleagues for their work on these pieces of legislation and to all the advocates who I have met through the Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities Committee who made this day possible.”

“I have fought my entire career to make Massachusetts a more inclusive place for people of all abilities to live, work, and play,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It is especially fitting that the Senate has passed these bills on the same day that we adjourn in memory of Paul Spooner, a committed and tireless disability rights and inclusion activist working in MetroWest and a dear friend of mine. By helping us move closer to our goal of ensuring that all people have opportunities to live independently, we honor Paul’s legacy and make the Massachusetts a more compassionate and accessible Commonwealth.”

Expanding Wheelchair Warranties

Wheelchair repair poses substantial problems for people with physical disabilities in Massachusetts. In the event of a wheelchair breaking or otherwise failing to function, it is not uncommon for those who use wheelchair to need to wait for weeks for repairs, including for wheelchairs under warranty. This leaves these individuals stranded at home and unable to go to work, school, medical appointments, grocery shopping, or elsewhere. This creates a crisis for individuals and families and often exacerbates other health conditions. Existing state law does not set any timeline for assessing repairs or require dealers to offer wheelchairs on loan within a fixed time period.

Legislation passed by the Senate today addresses these problems by strengthening consumer protections for those who use wheelchairs. The legislation requires that wheelchair manufacturers, lessors and dealers provide consumers with written notification of the warranty for their wheelchairs, and increases the minimum duration for an express warranty on wheelchairs to two years. If an in-warranty wheelchair stops functioning, the bill requires that manufacturers, lessors, and dealers assess the wheelchair within three days, provide a temporary wheelchair on loan within four days, and cover collateral costs to the user.

To enforce these new requirements, the bill authorizes the state attorney general and consumers to commence legal actions against any violation of provisions protecting wheelchair users from unfair and deceptive business practices relating to warranty-fulfillment.

Independent living through supported decision-making agreements

Supported decision-making is an alternative to guardianship for individuals with an intellectual or development disability, dementia, or mental health diagnosis. Unlike in traditional guardianship, where a guardian makes medical, financial, or other life decisions for a person with disabilities, supported decision-making allows an individual with a disability to make his or her own decisions with the support of a designated person or team of trusted supporters. In such an agreement, ‘supporters’ assist in communicating and understanding decisions but cannot override an individuals’ own choices.

The legislation passed by the Senate today legally recognizes supported decision-making agreements, acknowledges them as a viable alternative to guardianship for some individuals, and establishes guardrails to ensure that these agreements keep an individuals’ best interests at heart. In cases where there is evidence of undue influence or coercion, the law renders such decision-making agreements invalid. The legislation permits members of the public, and requires mandated reporters, to petition the Probate and Family court to revoke or suspend a supported decision-making agreement in cases where there is suspicion of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Under the bill, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services will create training on supported decision-making, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will assist in informing students and their families or guardians about supported decision-making as needed.

Having passed the Senate, the bills now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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Legislature Sends Compromise Economic Development Bill to Governor’s Desk, Includes $2.5 Million Secured by Senator Velis for District

(Boston 11/3/2022) In the final Economic Development and Supplemental Budget bill passed by the Senate and House of Representatives today, all district funding amendments secured by Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) in the original Senate bill were included and will go to Governor Baker’s desk for his consideration. 

“This piece of legislation makes so many important investments in our Commonwealth and I am especially glad that the funding amendments I filed for our district remained intact throughout the Conference Committee process. Coupled with the $3 billion in tax rebates that residents will start receiving this week from the Commonwealth, this bill provides critical relief to our health care system and other sectors that have been impacted by the pandemic,” said Senator Velis. “I am grateful to my Republican and Democratic colleagues for working together to get this bill over the finish-line this session and look forward to continuing to work alongside them to provide further tax relief to residents across the Commonwealth.” 

The bill’s passage comes as nearly $3 billion worth of tax rebates are actively being sent to taxpayers following the Commonwealth’s triggering of the Chapter 62F ballot initiative. 

Highlights of An Act Relating to Economic Growth and Relief for the Commonwealth include: 

  • $410 million for creation and preservation of affordable housing for low-income families 
  • $350 million for fiscally stained hospitals 
  • $153 million in grants for businesses. The bill also creates a single-entry portal for small businesses to use to apply for state government grants. 
  • $100 million for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund 
  • $75 million for investments in broadband infrastructure 
  • $57 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) to support families dealing with increased home energy costs 

The bill includes $2,500,000 in funding specifically for projects and organizations across Senator Velis’ district, highlighted by $1,500,000 to help repair and replace the Main Street Sewer Pipe system in the City of Agawam.  

“Relationships matter and the town of Agawam is so pleased to have a partner in Senator Velis. Like other cities and towns, Agawam struggles to cover the costs of needed capital improvements.  This project will upgrade a crucial service along a major artery in Town.  These state funds will spare the Agawam taxpayers from having to cover the costs of the project alone. Once again, Senator Velis delivered on behalf of the Town and Agawam taxpayers,” said Agawam Mayor Bill Sapelli. 

Other funding for the district includes: 

  • $150,000 for the City of West Springfield to complete a feasibility study on the decommissioned power plant on Agawam Avenue 
  • $100,000 for the Westfield Police Department for facility upgrades and equipment 
  • $95,000 for the Agawam Youth Football, Soccer, and Basketball Associations 
  • $90,000 for the City of Holyoke to purchase a new Animal Control van  
  • $75,000 for the Easthampton Council on Aging to purchase a new ADA compliant van 
  • $50,000 for the Montgomery/Russell Police Department to purchase a new explorer 
  • $50,000 for the town Southampton for the greenway bicycle and pedestrian path 
  • $50,000 for school safety/security improvements in Westfield 
  • $50,000 for school safety/security improvements in Agawam 
  • $50,000 for the American Legion Post 207 in West Springfield for building improvements 
  • $50,000 for the New England Farm Workers’ Council for accessibility improvements 
  • $46,500 for the Hope for Holyoke Recovery Center to support their transportation program 
  • $35,000 for the Easthampton Community Center to install a new walk-in fridge/freezer 
  • $25,000 for the Southampton Road School in Westfield for playground improvements 
  • $25,000 for the Westfield Middle School’s art/music departments 
  • $18,500 for Borgatti Park in Agawam for youth sports improvements 

Having passed the Senate and the House, the bill now goes to Governor Baker’s desk. 

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Senator Velis Joins Colleagues in Urging DPU Action on Winter Energy Rate Increases 

(BOSTON – 10/31/2022) – Earlier this month Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield) joined a bipartisan group of 30 Massachusetts State Senators and 76 State Representative on a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) expressing concern about the energy rate increases slated to impact residents this winter. The letter to DPU Chair Matthew Nelson, urges DPU to protect residents of the Commonwealth from these rate increases. 

“The number one issue I hear from constituents is that costs are too high, and these expected energy rate increases are only going to make matters worse,” said Senator Velis (D-Westfield). “That’s why I have fought this entire session for tax relief measures and pushed for increased funding for programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Folks should not have to decide between keeping their house warm and putting food on their table, and we’re urging the DPU to do everything in their power to prevent those enormous energy rate hikes from the utility companies. Simply put, we need to do more to help residents this winter, and I am committed to doing whatever I can to make that assistance happen.” 

“The people of the Commonwealth have yet to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Representative Orlando Ramos (D-Springfield). “Eversource’s proposed rate increase would disproportionally impact the most vulnerable. Meanwhile Eversource reported profits of more than $1.2 billion for 2021. That is an increase of about $15.3 million (1.3%) from the record profits the company reported in 2020, and an increase of $311.4 million (34.3%) from the profits it reported in 2019.” 

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources predicts that the coming winter will be colder than last year’s, while the cost of heating may increase by up to 54.6% for electric customers and 28.6% for natural gas. Utility providers largely blame global factors such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, and inflation. Legislators believe the DPU can do more to tamp down these rate increases and their effects on consumers. 

In their letter to the DPU, signatories state, “…proposed rate increases of this magnitude – during the winter season – would disproportionally impact the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable. Moreover, protecting our residents from the cold is not just an affordability and equity concern – it is also a public safety issue. As the oversight agency tasked with prioritizing safety, affordability, and equity with regard to energy rates, we ask that DPU do just that and protect Massachusetts residents from these drastic rate increases this winter season.” 

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Sen. Velis, Rep. Duffy recognize Holyoke Public School Educators  

(Holyoke – 10/30/2022) In October Senator John Velis and Representative Patricia Duffy recognized the hard work and dedication of three educators from the Holyoke Public Schools system, Janet Morales, Sacha Garcia-Mailloux, and Roberto Vicente. The three educators were selected as honorees for this year’s State of Latino Education Summit at the Massachusetts State House on October 5th.  

Hosted by Latinos for Education, the event focuses on the opportunity gaps that Latino students still face in Massachusetts’s education system and celebrates the resilience and leadership of Latino educators who have been working to ensure educational equity for all students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was the largest gathering of Latino educators in Massachusetts State House history. 

On Tuesday, October 25th, the offices of Senator Velis and Representative Duffy visited Kelly Elementary School to present Roberto Vicente with Senate and House citations in recognition of his honor during a small ceremony. On Thursday, October 27th, the offices visited the Lt. Sullivan School to present Principal Sacha Garcia-Mailloux with citations and then Holyoke High School to present Janet Morales with citations. The ceremonies were attended by Mayor Garcia, Superintendent Sotos, HPS staff, and students.   

“Our entire Holyoke Public School system has benefitted from the dedication and passion that these educators have for their jobs and for each student who passes through their classrooms. Janet, Sacha, and Roberto have gone above and beyond to help all of our students access the educational opportunities they deserve and reach their full potential,” said Senator Velis. “With all of the difficulties that the pandemic has presented over the last two years, their leadership and commitment to HPS students has been more important than ever. I know that their past and present students have seen that compassion day-in and day-out and I am grateful that these educators are getting this well-deserved recognition.  

“The goal of the State of Latino Education Summit was to spotlight the critical role that Latino educators and leaders play in achieving educational equity for Latino students. There are many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated, but with educators like Janet, Sacha and Roberto and leaders like Senator Velis, we can tackle those challenges and chart a new path forward for Latino education,” said Amanda Fernandez, CEO of Latinos for Education 

“The Latinx educators we are celebrating this month play a critical role in reaching educational equity for Latinx students,” said Dr. Jessica Huizenga, Interim Executive Director, New England at Latinos for Education. “The positive impact they are making on the future generations of our country does not go unnoticed.” 

To learn more about Latinos for Education, please visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org/ 

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Janet Morales citation ceremony at Holyoke High School
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October 29, 2022 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone, 

October has absolutely flown by. I can’t believe that we’re almost at the end.  I feel like I say this every year, but the New England foliage was just ablaze these last couple weeks.  I may be biased but I think Western Massachusetts is one of the most beautiful areas of our country, especially during this time of year.  

This past Tuesday at Hanscom Air Force Base Governor Baker signed the SPEED Act during a ceremony with members of the National Guard and military families throughout the Commonwealth. As the sponsor of the bill, I was honored to be a part of the ceremony and receive the Governor’s first pen from the signing. This law eases the burden of often moving military families in a few ways, including expediting the state licensure process for military spouses to ensure they can continue their careers and allowing children of service members to enroll ahead of time or virtually when they change school districts. The law also expands benefits for Veterans and Guard members and expands the way that the Commonweath recognizes service members in general.  I’m very proud to have gotten this legislation signed into law.  I’d like to thank all those who helped along the way and also all of our service members for whom this bill was written and who continue to protect and serve our country every day.    

On Thursday I was able to present the Agawam Little League with $25,000 in funding that my office was able to secure for the upcoming fiscal year.  This money will go directly to facilities improvements and the purchase of new equipment, including a new scoreboard at Borgatti park! This such a deserving group and I can’t wait to see a game this spring. 

I also presented a citation this week to Assistant District Attorney Magali Montes who is retiring from the Holyoke District Court.  We surprised her at the District Court’s diversity luncheon on Thursday to honor her in front of all her colleagues.  We are grateful for her many years of service and she will be greatly missed.   

This week was jam packed with Council on Aging office hours.  On Monday, we held office hours in Westfield from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.   On Tuesday, we were in Russell from 11:30am to 12:30pm.  On Wednesday, we were in Southampton from 10:00am to 11:00pm.  Next week, we will be in Southwick on Wednesday from 11:00 am to 12:00pm.  Feel free to stop by with any questions or concerns.  Hope to see you there.   

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office.  I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com where you can also sign up for my newsletter! 

And last but not least, I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween! 
 
Sincerely,  

John Velis 

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Governor Baker Signs SPEED Act at Hanscom Air Force Base  

(Boston 10/25/2022) Today Governor Baker signed An Act relative to military spouse-licensure portability, education and enrollment of dependents, otherwise known as the SPEED Act, during a ceremony at Hanscom Air Force Base with members of the Massachusetts National Guard and military families from throughout the Commonwealth. Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), the author of the law and Chairman of the Legislature’s Veterans’ Committee, joined Governor Baker for the signing, and received the Governor’s first pen from the signing.

“At the most fundamental level, this law is about recognizing that when an individual signs up for the United States Armed Services, it is not just them that is signing up, it is their entire family,” said Senator Velis. “From speeding up the professional licensure process for military spouses so that they can continue their careers, to allowing advanced and virtual enrollment for military children to resolve disruptions in education, this law ensures that we are taking care of our military families here in Massachusetts.” 

“Massachusetts has a strong history of supporting our nation’s military, and we are proud that thousands of servicemembers and their families call the Commonwealth their home,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The SPEED Act makes Massachusetts a more welcoming place for military families transferring here by streamlining the occupational licensing process so military spouses can continue their professional careers and by making it easier for those families to access educational opportunities in the Commonwealth. In addition, I am pleased that this new law will create a Medal of Fidelity so that Massachusetts can recognize fallen heroes who lost their lives to the hidden wounds of war. We are grateful to the many military family members who supported this important proposal and to our legislative colleagues for passing this bill.” 

“This is a historic bill. This is most likely the most encompassing military and veterans bill passed in the Commonwealth in the last century,” said Major General Gary W. Keefe, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard. “This bill will make it clear to every state in the republic that Massachusetts is unmatched in its care and support of its military members, veterans, and their families.” 

Major Components of the SPEED Act: 

The SPEED Act creates a new 30-day expedited licensing process for military spouses to receive licenses issued by the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) if they are licensed in another state and meet necessary requirements. The law also allows for granting of automatic 3-year teaching certificates for spouses of active-duty military members serving in Massachusetts or a bordering state if they are licensed in another state, enabling them to work before completing testing requirements for the regular certificate. 

The SPEED Act also helps military families transferring to Massachusetts by allowing them to enroll students in K-12 school in advance and without having to physically appear. The law also extends Massachusetts residency or “in-state” status at public colleges and universities to any active-duty US military member, spouse, or child who is stationed in the Commonwealth. The law also establishes the “Purple Star Campus” program to designate schools that demonstrate a commitment to students and families of service members.  

Moreover, the law introduces new benefits and services for Veterans and National Guard members and expands the ways our Commonwealth recognizes service members. The law: 

  • Establishes the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity to be awarded to the next-of-kin of service members who died as the result of service-connected diseases, conditions, or injuries, including PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or exposure to harmful toxins 
  • Establishes resources for service members exposed to burn pits and airborne hazards, and requires the state to assist service members in signing up for federal VA burn pit registry 
  • Establishes the Massachusetts National Guard Family Education Program to allow National Guard members to transfer unused education benefits to their dependents 
  • Establishes a $2,000 tax credit for businesses with less than 100 employees who hire and retain National Guard Members 
  • Expands  resources for Veterans throughout the Commonweath.  

“The SPEED Act is truly a momentous piece legislation that will improve the lives of every single service member, Veteran, and military family member who resides in our Commonwealth, now and in the future,” said Senator Velis. “I am grateful to Governor Baker for signing this bill into law, to my colleagues in the Legislature for their support, and to all our Commonwealth’s service members and military families for their advocacy and their service.” 

In addition to Governor Baker, Senator Velis, and Major General Keefe, Secretary Cheryl Poppe of the Department of Veterans’ Services and Representative Paul McMurtry also spoke at today’s ceremony.  

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