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Massachusetts Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 48,694 Active 11,420 In committee 4,256 Passed 35,449 Signed 1,793 Failed 19

Bill results

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3826: Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood

This resolution establishes a special commission to study how combat experience affects motherhood, parenting, and long-term outcomes for children of female veterans in Massachusetts. The commission, composed of veterans, committee chairs, and experts in veterans' affairs and mental health, will examine these impacts over an 18-month period. It will submit findings and potential legislative recommendations to the legislature by the deadline. The study directly focuses on female veterans with combat experience and their children residing in the Commonwealth.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill establishes a commission to study the long-term effects of combat on motherhood for women veterans. This study, particularly its focus on mental health and parenting, could lead to legislative recommendations that support healthcare for v...80% confidence
Shirley Arriaga (D) · 5 co-sponsors
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3858: An Act relative to 100% disabled veteran recreation

This bill (HD 225) grants Massachusetts residents who are 100% disabled veterans the right to obtain any state-issued hunting or fishing license without paying any fee. It directly affects eligible veterans by removing financial barriers to recreational activities they previously had to pay for. The key provision overrides all existing state laws, rules, or regulations requiring fees for these licenses. The policy change applies to all hunting and fishing licenses offered by the Commonwealth, ensuring no cost to qualifying veterans.
Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides no-cost hunting/fishing licenses for 100% disabled veterans, directly expanding recreational benefits and recognizing veteran service.95% confidence
Patrick Kearney (D) · 1 co-sponsor
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3840: An Act fraudulent representation of an accredited veterans service officer, accredited agent or attorney

This bill prohibits unaccredited individuals or organizations from falsely representing themselves as veterans service officers, agents, or attorneys to assist veterans with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It specifically bans charging fees for claim preparation, "consulting services," or soliciting applicants for VA benefits, and prohibits referring clients to unaccredited providers for compensation. Violations carry a $500 fine per offense, with proceeds funding veterans' outreach centers and homeless shelters. The law directly affects veterans seeking VA benefits and unaccredited representatives exploiting their vulnerability.
Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill targets fraudulent representation by veterans service officers/agents/attorneys to protect veterans from deception, ensuring legitimate assistance access and strengthening service integrity.95% confidence
Colleen Garry (D) · 1 co-sponsor
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3881: An Act increasing access to medical care for veterans

This bill (HD 205) requires Massachusetts public transportation systems (commuter rail, subway, bus, shuttle, and boat) to provide free rides to veterans traveling to or from Veterans Administration hospitals for medical care. It applies only to veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Defense who present proof of a VA medical appointment, such as a notice from the VA showing their name, date, and location of the appointment. The law aims to reduce transportation barriers for veterans seeking medical care at VA facilities within Massachusetts, without altering VA healthcare services or eligibility.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides free transit for veterans to access medical care, directly improving healthcare access per summary.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly increases veterans' access to medical care via free transit services, directly improving healthcare access as stated in title and summary.95% confidence
Adam Scanlon (D)
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3879: An Act providing for prisoners of war

HD 119 amends tax law to exempt income earned by prisoners of war from taxation. It directly affects individuals who were U.S. military personnel captured, separated, and incarcerated by an enemy during an armed conflict. The bill adds a lifetime tax exemption for such income, defined as payments received while held captive. This provision applies solely to the income of qualifying former POWs and does not alter other benefits or rights. The change is limited to tax treatment, not policy regarding POW care or compensation.
Adam Scanlon (D)
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3868: An Act exempting veterans disability payments as income when they are applying for other Commonwealth services.

This bill (HD 686) changes how the state calculates income for veterans applying for certain Commonwealth services. It specifically excludes veterans' disability benefit payments from being counted as income when determining eligibility for state programs like housing assistance, food aid, or other support services. The key provision, found in Section 1, amends existing law to ensure these benefits do not reduce a veteran's access to other state services they qualify for based on income. This directly affects veterans receiving disability payments who apply for additional state assistance programs.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill exempts veterans' disability payments from income calculations for state services, including housing assistance. This makes it easier for veterans to qualify for housing support, thus advancing affordable housing access.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans' disability payments from income calculations, expanding eligibility for state services without reducing benefits.95% confidence
John Marsi (R) · 11 co-sponsors
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3872: An Act expanding the mission of the Office of the Veteran Advocate

This bill expands the role of Massachusetts' Office of the Military and Veteran Advocate, creating an independent office to better support veterans and military families receiving state services. It requires the office to ensure humane treatment, coordinate benefits access, review care systems across state agencies, investigate serious incidents (like fatalities), and advise state leaders on improving veteran services. The office will be led by a full-time advocate appointed through a nonpartisan committee of veterans' leaders and agency heads, serving a 5-year term. The bill directly affects veterans and military families using state health, housing, or social services, and mandates annual public reports to state leaders on service improvements.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill expands the mission of the Office of the Veteran Advocate to ensure humane treatment and coordinate benefits access for veterans and military families. This likely includes housing-related benefits and support, thus indirectly supporting ...60% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill expands services for veterans, which can indirectly support their employment and overall well-being. While not directly about labor law, improved veteran support can aid their integration into the workforce.55% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpanding the Office of the Veteran Advocate's mission strengthens veteran advocacy services, directly aligning with support indicators for veterans' representation.85% confidence
Kelly Pease (R) · 5 co-sponsors
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3850: An Act establishing the Massachusetts veterans service dog program

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Program to provide service dogs for eligible veterans with disabilities. It creates a dedicated fund (the Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Fund) to cover program costs, including training and matching dogs with veterans through accredited organizations. Eligible veterans must be Massachusetts residents with a documented disability, a healthcare provider's recommendation, and a need for a service dog trained to assist with specific tasks. The program requires the executive office of veterans' services to administer the program, match veterans with dogs within one year, and submit annual reports on outcomes. The bill also eliminates licensing fees for service dogs under this program.
Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill establishes a program to provide service dogs to veterans with disabilities, which directly supports healthcare by improving the well-being and functional independence of veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes dedicated veterans service dog program, directly enhancing support services and recognition for veterans through new program creation.95% confidence
Tara Hong (D) · 6 co-sponsors
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3854: An Act establishing a Vietnam War commemoration fund

This bill establishes the Vietnam War Commemoration Fund in Massachusetts to honor the 50th anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from the Vietnam War, during which over 1,300 Massachusetts service members died. The fund, managed by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, will finance local memorials, events, and educational materials, with municipalities eligible to apply for grants. Funding comes from state appropriations, interest, and private donations (which must be reviewed to avoid conditions), and monies in the fund cannot be redirected for other uses. It directly affects Massachusetts veterans, their families, and local communities seeking to commemorate the war's impact.
Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates a Vietnam War commemoration fund, directly recognizing veteran service per topic's 'recognition' criterion. Explicitly tied to veterans in summary.95% confidence
Brad Jones (R) · 6 co-sponsors
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3825: An Act to recognize service to our Commonwealth and Nation

This bill (HD 3586) adds a recognition provision for service members who die while actively serving in the U.S. military. It specifically applies to active-duty personnel from all branches (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard), Reserve Components, and National Guard who are residents of the Commonwealth. The bill does not create new benefits or programs but formally acknowledges their service and sacrifice through legislative language. As a commemorative measure, it directly affects the families and communities of these fallen service members by adding this recognition to official records.
Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes veterans' service via flag protocol (half-staff display), aligning with 'recognizes veteran service' support indicator. Directly tied to Veterans and Federal Affairs in summary.85% confidence
Shirley Arriaga (D) · 2 co-sponsors
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3870: An Act amending the definition of veteran

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand the definition of "veteran" by adding specific federal service branches. It directly affects members of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, the United States Public Health Service, and the United States Space Force who previously may not have qualified as veterans under state law. The key provision adds these entities to the existing list of qualifying services in M.G.L. ch. 4, s. 7, clause 43(b). This change ensures these service members receive the same state-level veteran benefits and recognition as other military personnel.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill expands the definition of 'veteran' to include more service members, which could indirectly lead to more individuals qualifying for veteran-specific employment benefits or protections. This is a moderate inference.55% confidence
Paul McMurtry (D)
passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3887: An Act relative to the definition of a Veteran in the Commonwealth

This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand the official definition of "veteran" in Chapter 115. It adds a new provision (f) stating that individuals who served 20 or more years in the National Guard or Reserve are now included in the veteran definition. The change directly affects National Guard and Reserve members with two decades of service, granting them the same legal recognition as other veterans. This is a straightforward definitional update to ensure consistent eligibility for veteran benefits and programs.
Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands veteran definition to include National Guard members, qualifying them for benefits/services under state law.95% confidence
Jeff Turco (D) · 1 co-sponsor
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