House Passes Legislation to Support and Honor Military Veterans

(BOSTON) – This week, I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass legislation to support Massachusetts’ veterans and military families including an important provision to make more veterans eligible for property tax exemptions by relaxing the residency requirements. This bill builds upon the Commonwealth’s legacy as a national leader for the number of programs and services it offers to military personnel, veterans and their families.

The bill provides new financial supports to families including:

• Creates a $1,000 active-duty death benefit, in addition to any annuity the person would have received;

• Increases the amount a deceased veteran’s estate may receive to assist with funeral and burial expenses from $2,000 to $4,000.

Recognizing that many people who serve in the military have specialized medical training, the legislation makes it easier for military personnel to become EMTs once they return home.

Lastly, under this legislation every municipality in the Commonwealth will now designate one parking space at its town or city hall as “veterans-only parking.”

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