An Act relative to the definition of a Veteran in the Commonwealth

This bill proposes to update the legal definition of a veteran in Massachusetts to include individuals who served in the National Guard or military reserves for at least 20 years. Currently, the state's definition does not explicitly cover long-term service members of these reserve forces, which would change under this legislation. The amendment would affect eligibility for state programs and benefits that are currently restricted to those who meet the existing veteran criteria. By adding this specific service requirement, the bill aims to recognize the contributions of long-term reserve personnel without altering other parts of the veteran definition.