An Act to reform veterans’ services at the municipal level

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the enforcement mechanism or penalties beyond mentioning civil penalties up to $5,000 for noncompliance.

Improving Veterans' Services in Large Towns and Cities

This act requires cities and towns with over 12,000 people to have a full-time person in charge of veterans’ services if they currently have a part-time one.

What This Bill Does

• Requires cities or towns with more than 12,000 residents to appoint a full-time veteran’s agent or director at the start of each fiscal year if they currently have a part-time position.

Who It Names or Affects

• Cities and towns with more than 12,000 people

Terms To Know

Civil Penalty

A fine given by the government for breaking a rule.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if cities and towns with less than 12,000 people do not have a full-time veteran’s agent.
• It is unclear when the law will start to be enforced.

Official Summary Text

An Act to reform veterans’ services at the municipal level
By Representative Arriaga of Chicopee, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3824) of Shirley B. Arriaga for legislation to provide for the appointment of full-time veterans' agents or directors of veterans’ services in certain cities and towns. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Current Bill Text

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Bill H.3824

Section 10 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

Any city or town having a population over 12,000 and having a part-time veterans’ agent or part-time director of veterans’ services shall, at the start of the fiscal year, appoint a full time veteran’s agent or director of veterans’ services. If any city or town, having a population over 12,000, fails to appoint a full time veteran’s agent or director of veterans’ services, the secretary shall issue a civil penalty, not to exceed $5,000, for each month of noncompliance. Each month of noncompliance by the city or town shall be deemed a separate offense and such penalty shall be in addition to any other penalties provided by law.

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