(11/6/2025- WWLP) – Westfield Senator John Velis is leading the push for a bill that seeks to increase support and protections for military families by strengthening cooperation between the state and the US military on legal, educational, and safety issues.
On the legal side, this legislation seeks to clarify how the state and the federal government share jurisdiction, especially for crimes or juvenile cases on military bases, and requires police to check for and report violations of military protection orders.
It also improves school support for military families by ensuring access to special education services and allowing school choice for military-connected students.
“A lot of times we forget that these service members have family members and loved ones and things of that nature, and if you’re not helping them out, you’re certainly not helping that service member out,” said Velis.
Senator Velis told 22News that service member’s kids are facing sometimes insurmountable challenges, like frequent school changes, and difficulties transferring individual education programs (IEPs), both of which are addressed in the bill.
“Service members are literally getting out of the service if it would take too long for their young one to get enrolled into a class…a lot of times their I-E-P paperwork isn’t processed in a timely fashion,” said Velis.
Among changes, schools will be required to implement IEP plans within 30 school days.
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