BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey signed the HERO Act, (An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Servicemembers and Veterans) that includes over 30 provisions that will impact hundreds of thousands of veterans in Massachusetts, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans.  

 

This legislation will increase benefits, modernize services and promote inclusivity for veterans in Massachusetts. Key provisions include expanding access to behavioral health treatment, increasing benefits for disabled veterans, supporting businesses that hire veterans, updating the definition of a veteran, expanding the Veterans Equality Review Board's scope, and codifying medical and dental benefits.  

 

"This is our most comprehensive veterans' legislation in over 20 years, and it's the result of Massachusetts coming together to make veterans our priority," said Governor Healey. "From the start, our administration has been dedicated to revitalizing veterans' services in Massachusetts, ensuring that every hero receives the benefits, resources and support they deserve. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country – we can and will be the state where veterans and service members continue to lead and make all our freedom and success possible." 

 

Unveiled last Veterans Day, the HERO Act marks the first time in 20 years that a Massachusetts Governor has introduced a comprehensive and expansive legislative package dedicated to the welfare of veterans. Since its filing, additional provisions were added by the Senate and House.

 

Benefit Expansion   

 

Behavioral Health Treatment: Expands access to behavioral health treatment by allowing veterans to be reimbursed for visits to outpatient behavioral health providers.  

 

Increases the Disabled Veteran Annuity: Increases the disabled veteran annuity from $2,000 to $2,500, phased in over two years, and will be one payment, annually, on August 1. 

 

Increases the Vet-Hire Tax Credit: Increases to $2,500 a tax credit for small businesses hiring chronically unemployed or low-income veterans. Eligible veterans include those receiving SNAP benefits, chronically unemployed veterans, and unemployed service-connected disabled veterans.  

 

Active-Duty Buyback Program: Extends the timeframe for veterans in public service to utilize the Active-Duty Service Buyback program from 180 days to ten years. 

 

Prevents the "COLA Cliff": Ensures that a cost-of-living adjustment in Social Security benefits will not affect veterans' eligibility for Chapter 115 benefits mid-fiscal year. ?  

 

Increases Local Flexibility for Veterans Property Tax Exemptions: Allows municipalities to double property tax exemptions with local options and ties the annual property tax abatement amount to inflation. 

 

Protects Access to Sales Tax Exemption: Ensures disabled veterans can use the Purple Heart specialty license plate for sales tax exemptions. 

 

Increases Support for Military-Connected Students: Requires public school districts to provide support services to military-connected students when a parent or guardian is called to active duty. 

 

Creates a Military Family Advocacy Program: Establishes a program to protect against child abuse on military installations. 

 

Commitment to Inclusivity and Greater Representation  

 

Broadens the Chapter 115 Definition of Veteran: Aligns the state Chapter 115 program definition with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs definition. 

 

Expands the Scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board: Includes discharges related to Military Sexual Trauma, PTSD, TBI, mental health conditions

 or HIV. 

 

Expands the Definition of Veteran Dependent: Supports more dependents based on the Family Court definition.

 

Modernization of Veterans Services  

 

Codifies Dental Assistance Benefits: Ensures veterans receive essential dental care by codifying dental benefits for Chapter 115 recipients. 

 

Codifies Medical Assistance Benefits: Provides consistent care to veterans by codifying medical assistance benefits. 

 

Codifies Authority for Veterans Cemeteries: Ensures proper management and care of veterans cemeteries. 

 

Modernizes Statute Language: Revises Chapters 115 and 115A for gender-neutral and inclusive language. 

 

Initiates a Study on Alternative Therapies for Mental Health: Establishes a working group to study the benefits of alternative therapies, such as psilocybin, for treating veterans' mental health disorders. 

 

Recognition/Honoring our Veterans 

 

Half-Staff Flag Requirement: Requires flags to be flown at half-staff from the day of death until the day of interment for any military service member residing in Massachusetts. 

 

Expands Gold Star Families Recognition: Requires the Governor to issue a proclamation on Memorial Day and illuminate certain bridges in gold. 

 

Establishes United States Space Force Day: Declares December 20th of each year as United States Space Force Day. 

 

Establishes United States Merchant Marine Day: Declares May 22nd of each year as United States Merchant Marine Day. 

 

The administration collaborated with municipal veteran service officers from over 100 municipalities and engaged with more than 30 nonprofit partners to determine the legislative and programmatic priorities of the veteran community. A comprehensive 50-state review of veteran policies and legislative efforts was also conducted. 

 

A full breakdown of the HERO Act can be found here.