(BOSTON 7/7/2022) Today the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation authorizing $56 million to fulfill the Commonwealth’s settlement with the families of the Veterans who were impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. The settlement had previously been agreed to in the class action lawsuit approved by the United States District Court. Senator Velis, who represents the City of Holyoke and the Soldiers’ Home, introduced the bill on the Senate floor before the vote.
“No amount of money will ever make up for the devastating loss and heartbreak that these families have been through. What happened at the Home was unacceptable and will forever leave a scar on the Commonwealth especially our Western Mass communities,” said Senator Velis, who is also Chairman of the Veterans’ Committee. “No dollar figure will ever bring these families their loved ones back. That anguish and grief will always be there, but this settlement does ensure that the families no longer need to suffer the painful and long process of continued litigation.”
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While the Senate took up the Soldiers’ Home settlement, the House of Representatives today passed their version of the SPEED Act, a bill filed by Senator Velis which the Senate passed in October.
The SPEED Act supports military families in their transition to Massachusetts when service members receive orders to relocate. The legislation would speed up the professional licensure process for military spouses to ensure they can continue their careers and allow for advanced and virtual enrollment for military children to resolve disruptions in education. The bill would also help Massachusetts meet criteria used by the Department of Defense for basing assignments, like the current F-35 Fighter Jet conversion being considered for Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield.
“Anyone who has worn the uniform or has a family member who has worn the uniform knows that the sacrifice of military service goes far beyond the individual service member. The SPEED Act is a recognition of that sacrifice and the challenges these families face,” said Senator Velis. “The bill will benefit so many military families coming to our state and will help bring massive federal investments to our Commonwealth.”
Among other pieces, the House Bill also included a Burn Pit Bill for Veterans that was originally filed by Senator Velis when he was a member of the House. The policy would support the estimated more than 3.5 million Veterans who have been exposed to toxic burn pits during their time serving.
The bill would provide resources for Massachusetts Veterans to register with the federal VA burn-pit database, which would in turn make them eligible for increased health care services and provide them with compensation if they have health conditions related to the toxic exposure.
“Burn pits is to my generation of Veterans what Agent Orange was to Vietnam Veterans, and it is time that we acknowledge the serious and long-lasting health effects these toxins have,” said Senator Velis. “I have been advocating for this bill since my own time in Afghanistan and am grateful that the House has taken these important steps today for our service members and their families.”
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