Veterans (Veteran Employment) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 133: An Act relative to veterans retirement and pensions

This bill amends Chapter 32, Section 60 of Massachusetts law regarding veterans' retirement and pension eligibility. It removes the existing language that defined how veterans' service time affects pension calculations, specifically the rule about "creditable service" for veterans employed by state/local governments. The bill does not specify new provisions in the provided text, only the deletion of the current language. It directly affects veterans whose employment with Massachusetts government entities began before or after June 30, 1939. Without the replacement text, the specific new policy changes cannot be described from this excerpt.

Topics ✗ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 598: An Act to reform veterans’ services at the municipal level

This bill requires cities and towns with populations over 12,000 that currently use part-time veterans' agents or directors to appoint full-time staff starting each fiscal year. Municipalities failing to comply face a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each month of noncompliance, with each month treated as a separate offense. The law directly affects larger municipalities that previously maintained part-time veterans' service roles. It mandates a concrete change in staffing structure for veteran services at the municipal level, with specific enforcement penalties.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 522: An Act relative to military personnel and medical records

This bill prohibits Massachusetts hiring authorities from requesting military medical records or service records during employment applications or retention. It allows hiring managers to require a DD-214 form (discharge document) but bans any condition requiring military medical records as a job requirement. Disabled veterans must obtain a physician's certificate (paid for by the state) confirming they can perform job duties, but employers cannot use military medical history to deny employment. The law applies to all state and municipal hiring, except when a DD-214 shows an "other than honorable" discharge, which permits requesting military records.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 609: An Act ensuring the fair treatment of military service members and veterans

This bill creates a new "veteran employment and reemployment rights division" within the state inspector general's office to assist military service members and veterans facing workplace issues after service. The division will employ intake officers, investigators, and mediators to handle disputes related to employment or reemployment rights under federal law (USERRA). Key mechanisms include gathering evidence from veterans and employers, investigating potential violations, and offering mediation to resolve conflicts before referring unresolved cases to the attorney general. It directly affects service members and veterans encountering employment challenges due to military service, providing a dedicated state resource to enforce their federal protections.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Workforce Development National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1864: An Act to enhance opportunities for veterans at the Massachusetts Port Authority

This bill requires the Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort) to create hiring rules that give preferential consideration to veteran applicants during employment decisions. It directly affects MassPort's hiring process for all positions, including consultants and independent contractors paid by the Authority. The law defines "veterans" according to Chapter 31 of the General Laws and mandates that MassPort develop specific guidelines to implement this preference in its recruitment and hiring practices. The change applies to all roles covered under MassPort's employment definitions, expanding veteran hiring considerations beyond traditional employee roles.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 598: An Act relative to veteran employment opportunities

This bill creates a program to help veterans prepare for municipal government jobs by reimbursing them for costs associated with civil service exams. It directly affects Massachusetts veterans seeking employment in local government positions. The commissioner will cover exam fees for up to three attempts per veteran, but no reimbursement will be provided if a veteran fails an exam. The program requires the commissioner to collaborate with veteran service organizations when developing the initiative.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Employment

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 768: An Act ensuring the fair treatment of military service members and veterans

SD 768 creates a new "Veteran Employment and Reemployment Rights Division" within the Executive Office of Veterans Services to help veterans and service members resolve workplace disputes after military service. The division will have intake officers, investigators, and mediators to address violations of federal (USERRA) and state laws regarding job reemployment rights. If mediation fails, cases are referred to the Attorney General for further action. This bill directly affects veterans/service members facing employment issues and employers who may violate reemployment protections under federal and state law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Workforce Development National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2028: An Act relative to public hiring preference for veterans, peace corps, americorps and commonwealth corps workers

This bill requires Massachusetts state agencies to create a program identifying and recruiting military veterans and alumni of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and the Commonwealth Corps for non-civil service public jobs. It directs the human resources division to provide agencies with certificates confirming a candidate's eligibility in these categories. The program aims to help agencies hire, develop, promote, and retain these individuals through formal recruitment efforts. The bill affects state agencies hiring in non-civil service positions and directly benefits eligible veterans and service program alumni.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1127: An Act relative to veteran inclusion

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1795) of Michael D. Brady for legislation relative to creating employment opportunities for veterans. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1985: An Act relative to the development of single family and multi-family housing for veterans

This bill amends zoning laws to prevent local governments from blocking or unreasonably restricting housing developments that specifically serve veterans. It requires that any single or multi-family housing project with a veteran preference (as defined in state law) and an affordable housing deed restriction must not face zoning barriers like special permits or unreasonable restrictions. The law directly affects housing developers and local zoning boards by limiting their ability to deny such projects through discretionary approval processes. This creates a clearer path for building veteran-focused housing that remains affordable long-term, without altering existing housing requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

All veterans bills