(Boston- 8/8/2024) Today Governor Maura Healey signed An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Service Members and Veterans , otherwise known as the HERO Act, into law during a ceremony in Lexington, Massachusetts. Senator John C. Velis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and the Senate’s lead negotiator on the final legislation, joined Governor Healey for the signing.
The legislation has received praise as one of the most comprehensive Department of Defense bills enacted in the county this year. The now law increases and simplifies benefits and opportunities for veterans, modernizes and expands services and resources, and promotes inclusivity for Massachusetts veterans while reaffirming the Commonwealth’s commitment to recognizing and serving all service members and their families.
“Massachusetts has a long history of prioritizing the needs of our veterans and service members. The Healey-Driscoll Administration recognized this tradition on day one, exemplified by the fact that the HERO Act was filed within their very first year in office. Through collaboration with the Legislature, the final legislation signed today builds on that original bill and ensures we are taking care of not only our veterans but all of our current service members and military families in the Commonwealth as well,” said Senator John C. Velis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “From increasing access to Chapter 115 benefits and removing financial barriers to behavioral health treatment, to providing critical supports to spouses and children of our active-duty service members, to expanding the ways our Commonwealth recognizes military service, the HERO Act is truly an incredible and comprehensive package that honors the sacrifices of those who bravely serve our nation.”
“This is our most comprehensive veterans’ legislation in over 20 years, and it’s the result of Massachusetts coming together to make veterans our priority,” said Governor Healey. “From the start, our administration has been dedicated to revitalizing veterans’ services in Massachusetts, ensuring that every hero receives the benefits, resources and support they deserve. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country – we can and will be the state where veterans and service members continue to lead and make all our freedom and success possible.”
“Today, we affirm our dedication to the hundreds of thousands of veterans in Massachusetts and the families of service members nationwide. We recognize your sacrifices and needs, and this legislation marks a new era in veteran care,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “Massachusetts leads the way in providing comprehensive and compassionate services, ensuring every veteran receives the respect they deserve, and this legislation bolsters that.
Major Components of the HERO Act include:
Veteran Benefits, Opportunities, and Protections
- Increases annuity for 100% disabled veterans and Gold Star Spouses/Parents to $2,500.
- Increases tax credit for businesses hiring a veteran to $2,500 to support veteran employment.
- Increases access to Active-Duty Buyback program for veterans in public service.
- Expands eligibility for Chapter 115 state veterans’ benefits program.
- Streamlines Chapter 115 benefits appeals process and allows municipalities to disburse veterans’ benefits through direct deposit instead of mail.
- Ensures that outpatient behavioral health treatment is reimbursable under Chapter 115 program.
- Provides municipalities with path to double current veteran property tax exemptions and/or tie annual property tax exemption increases to inflation.
- Requires veterans’ benefits notice to be provided to employers to ensure awareness of benefits.
- Protects Massachusetts veterans from predatory “claim sharks” that charge hefty fees and target veterans seeking assistance filing claims for federal veteran benefits.
Services and Resources for Service-Members and Military Families
- Establishes a state military spouse liaison to conduct outreach and support military spouses in Massachusetts.
- Requires school districts to provide specific supports to military-connected students
- Increases access to childcare on military installations by accepted US Department of Defense Childcare provider licenses.
- Allows for a military medic equivalency waiver for veterans seeking state EMT certification.
- Requires DCF to enter into memorandums of understanding with the military to improve reporting for child abuse incidents.
Expanded Recognitions of Military Service
- Requires annual proclamation and lighting of bridges across the Commonwealth on Memorial Day in recognition of Gold Star families.
- Requires state flags to be flown at half-staff for military service events, including when a Massachusetts service-member is killed in active duty.
- Ensures awareness and accessibility for Medal of Liberty for next of kin of Massachusetts service-members.
- Ensures US Space Force, including unit at Hanscom Air Base in Massachusetts, is appropriately recognized and defined in state law.
In addition to Governor Healey, Senator Velis, and Secretary Santiago, other notable attendees include Major General Gary Keefe, Representative Gerry Cassidy, numerous Veteran organizations, and Gold Star Families.
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