Massachusetts Legislature Passes HERO Act

Bill increases benefits, modernizes services, and promotes inclusivity for Massachusetts veterans

AUGUST 14, 2024

Representative Bill Driscoll Jr. (D-Milton) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature in passing An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Service Members and Veterans (HERO Act), legislation designed to boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the United States military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans.

This compromise legislation increases and simplifies benefits and opportunities, modernizes services, and promotes inclusivity for Massachusetts veterans while reaffirming the Commonwealth’s commitment to recognizing and serving all service members and their families. It increases benefits for disabled veterans and Gold Star family members, bolsters new and existing initiatives for municipalities and businesses to support veterans, creates comprehensive services for active-duty service members and military families, expands the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board, updates the Chapter 115 definition of a veteran to expand eligibility, and codifies medical, behavioral health, and dental benefits.

Further, it establishes new recognitions for military service in the Commonwealth and requires several working groups to review post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, mental health treatments for veterans, and overall quality of life for veterans in Massachusetts.

“We have a responsibility to support and empower every person who has served and sacrificed for our nation once they return home—as well as their families,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “We are a Commonwealth that has the deepest respect and gratitude to our veterans, and the HERO Act doubles down on that commitment to our service members by delivering the support that they and their families deserve. I’m deeply grateful to Senator John Velis for his work and sustained leadership on this issue, all of the conferees, and to Speaker Mariano and our partners in the House for their efforts to get this important legislation over the finish line.”

“Ensuring that state government is doing everything that it can to support the Commonwealth’s veterans is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as elected officials. Veterans represent the very best of us, having risked their lives in service of this country, which is why we owe them nothing less than our unwavering support,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This legislation not only provides increased support for veterans in Massachusetts, through tax credits and enhanced benefits, it also takes steps to ensure that the Commonwealth goes to even greater lengths to honor our veterans and Gold Star families. I want to thank Governor Healey for filing the HERO Act, Majority Leader Moran and all my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate, for recognizing the importance of supporting our veterans however we can.”

“Passing the HERO Act shows the Legislature’s commitment to supporting and honoring our veterans and Gold Star Families. We look to our Military personnel with gratitude and respect,” said Driscoll. “The expanded benefits included in this bill make well-deserving and tailored improvements to the services available to Commonwealth veterans. These brave individuals have committed their lives to defending our nation, therefore we owe them assurance of reliable and accessible resources that promote healthy, happy, and prosperous lives.”

“Massachusetts has a long history of prioritizing the needs of our veterans and service members and I am thrilled that the HERO Act is on its way to the Governor's desk to continue this tradition. The final legislation is a product of collaboration—taking the strongest elements from the Governor’s original bill, the House's bill, and the Senate’s own diligent work—to create a comprehensive package that will expand services and resources for veterans, active duty service members, and military families throughout the Commonwealth,” stated Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and Senate Chair of the Conference Committee. “Less than one half of one percent of our nation bravely raise their right hand and pledge to defend our nation no matter the costs. We must always remember, recognize, and honor these sacrifices however we can, and passage of this legislation is an important step towards fulfilling that mission.”

“I want to thank Senator Velis, Representative Cassidy, Senator Michael Rush, Senator Fattman, and Representative Xiarhos for their work on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and their invaluable contributions putting the HERO Act together,” said Representative Michael J. Moran (D-Boston), House Majority Leader and House Chair of the conference committee. “This Act creates a path for veteran medics to gain EMT certification, annually recognize all service branches and Gold Star families, enhances benefits for blind and disabled veterans, and ensures that employers with more than 50 employees provide information of available veteran benefits to all their employees.”

“From the BRAVE Act, to HOMES, to VALOR Acts I and II, and now the HERO Act, the Massachusetts Legislature has made it loud and clear that we will stand by our veterans, active service members, and their families,” stated Senator Michael Rush, Senate Majority Whip and member of the conference committee. “I am grateful to the Senate President, Governor Healey, Secretary Santiago, my colleagues on the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, and all the advocates who helped to shape and guide this bill to its final passage.”

“I am pleased that we were able to produce a meaningful compromise to address issues faced by our veterans and their families. The HERO Act enhances the quality of life for veterans in the Commonwealth by making critical investments in benefits programs, expanding access to services, and creating policies to ensure our veterans and their families are well-informed about the benefits and services available to them,” said Representative Gerry Cassidy (D-Brockton), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of the conferees. Our veterans embody courage, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to our country and this bill highlights our commitment to their wellbeing.”

“This legislation is vital to ensuring that our veterans, men and women who their lives on the line for our freedom, have access to services and benefits rightfully due to them,” stated Ryan C. Fattman, a member of the conference committee. “I’m glad to have been part of putting the final language together and happy to see it pass.”

“As a Gold Star Father, I know all too well the importance of the sacrifice our men and women in uniform make when they serve. Some, like my son, make the ultimate sacrifice,” said Representative Steven George Xiarhos (R-Barnstable), a member of the conference committee. “We must honor the families they left behind. Others have the gift of returning home, but they face challenges with employment, and housing, and mental health issues here on the home front. It is equally important that we honor their service by helping them. That's ultimately what this bill does. It is a statement that we are committed to supporting our veterans and we will help them in their hour of need, just like they helped us by keeping us safe.”

The bill passed both chambers, and was signed by the Governor on Thursday, August 8. 

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