S 1497 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act to connect veterans with earned benefits

This bill requires Massachusetts courts to check if defendants are veterans and provide them with contact information for veteran support services. If a veteran is identified during the legal process, the court will refer them to a Veteran Justice Officer to help them access federal benefits they have earned. The law aims to connect military service members with resources like the Veterans Administration and local support officers while they navigate the justice system.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
May 2024
House Passage
Apr 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action May 16, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
4
Committee
2
May 16, 2024
Upper · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
upper
Apr 25, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Apr 4, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of John Cronin
John Cronin
DDemocratic
MA
Worcester and Middlesex