Veterans (Veteran Mental Health)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 64: An Act relative to PTSD and accidental disability

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1788) of Michael D. Brady, Marcus S. Vaughn, Steven George Xiarhos, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to PTSD and accidental disability retirement. Public Service.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAddresses PTSD and disability retirement, key veterans' healthcare and benefits issues without explicit scope limitations.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 323: An Act connecting veterans with access to breakthrough treatments

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1538) of Dylan A. Fernandes that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services be authorized to establish a program to promote, incentivize and support the development and deployment of eligible therapies among veterans and first responders. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes program to promote access to breakthrough treatments for veterans, directly improving patient access and aligning with public health initiatives under healthcare policy.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes program to promote access to breakthrough treatments for veterans, directly improving healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1538: An Act connecting veterans with access to breakthrough treatments

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1538) of Dylan A. Fernandes that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services be authorized to establish a program to promote, incentivize and support the development and deployment of eligible therapies among veterans and first responders. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates program to promote access to breakthrough therapies for veterans via Public Health program, directly expanding healthcare access for a vulnerable group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes program to promote breakthrough treatments for veterans, directly improving healthcare access and support per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 1821: An Act relative to disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1821) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Marcus S. Vaughn, Steven George Xiarhos, Paul K. Frost and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Public Service.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill addresses disability/death from PTSD, directly expanding veterans' healthcare benefits and recognition of service-related conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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signed · Massachusetts · House Nov 19, 2025

H 3388: An Act designating veterans suicide awareness and remembrance day

By Representative Meschino of Hull, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3388) of Joan Meschino and others for the issuance of an annual proclamation by the Governor to designate September 22 as military service members and veterans suicide awareness and remembrance day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates September 22 as veterans suicide awareness day, recognizing service and promoting mental health support through annual proclamation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2190: An Act relative to providing tax processing and filing assistance for certain disabled veterans

This bill provides tax relief and support for disabled veterans with PTSD. It waives interest and penalties on late tax payments for veterans whose delinquency results directly from PTSD certified by the Veterans Administration. The Department of Revenue must create a program offering training, tax preparation assistance, and resources through its Taxpayer Assistance Division specifically for qualifying veterans. This directly affects veterans diagnosed with PTSD by the VA who face tax filing challenges due to their condition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via penalty/interest waiver for disabled veterans with VA-certified PTSD, creating state-funded assistance program through Department of Revenue.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives tax penalties for VA-certified PTSD veterans and mandates tax assistance program, directly strengthening veteran benefits and support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 609: An Act relative to eligibility for veteran license plates

This bill would change who qualifies for special veteran license plates in Massachusetts. It adds a new requirement: veterans must have a service-connected disability rating of 60% or higher from the U.S. Veterans' Administration *and* suffer from a mental disability related to their military service. The change modifies existing law to include these specific health conditions as part of the eligibility criteria. This directly affects veterans seeking these plates who meet both the disability rating and mental health condition requirements.

Topics ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransAdds strict health requirements (60% disability + mental disability), restricting eligibility for veteran license plates beyond existing criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 985: An Act relative to disability benefits for veterans

This bill changes when veterans' disability benefits begin. It sets the effective date to the day after a veteran's discharge if they apply within one year of leaving service. This directly affects veterans who file for disability compensation soon after their military separation, ensuring they receive benefits starting immediately after discharge rather than from the application date. The key mechanism is modifying the timing rule in existing law to provide faster access to benefits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransModifies effective date to start benefits immediately post-discharge, accelerating access to disability compensation for veterans95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 191: 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 ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands Veteran Advocate office to coordinate benefits, improve care systems, and investigate incidents - directly advancing veteran support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 336: An Act designating veterans suicide awareness and remembrance day

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2189) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to designate September 22nd as veterans suicide awareness and remembrance day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Sept 22 as Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day, recognizing veteran service and promoting suicide prevention awareness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Mental Health

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