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H3826 • 2025

Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood

Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood

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The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Shirley B. Arriaga
Last action
2026-06-01
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H5466 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details on the funding or exact membership of the commission, leaving these aspects uncertain.

Study of Women Veterans and Combat Effects

This bill establishes a special commission to study how combat affects motherhood and parenting for female veterans, including the long-term impacts on their children.

What This Bill Does

  • Establishes a special legislative commission to investigate the effects of combat experience on motherhood and parenting for female veterans.
  • Includes members from different government committees and agencies to provide diverse perspectives.
  • Examines both short-term and long-term effects of combat on female veterans' children living in Massachusetts.
  • Requires the commission to submit a report with recommendations and any necessary legislation within 18 months.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Female veterans who have experienced combat
  • Children of female veterans affected by combat experiences

Terms To Know

Special Commission
A group appointed to study a specific issue and make recommendations.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify how much funding will be provided for this study.
  • It is unclear what specific actions or changes might come from the recommendations made by the commission.
  • The exact members of the special commission are not named in the bill text, only their roles and qualifications.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-01 House

    Accompanied a study order, see H5466 (under House Rule 27)

  2. 2025-07-16 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 07/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

  3. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

  4. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

  5. House

    Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood
By Representative Arriaga of Chicopee, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 3826) of Shirley B. Arriaga for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) on women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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Bill H.3826

Resolved,
There shall be a special legislative commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to study the effects combat experience has on motherhood and parenting for female veterans. The special commission shall examine female veterans who have experienced combat and whether that experience has either short or long-term impacts on motherhood. The special commission shall examine the children of female veterans who experienced combat and any lifelong effects it may have on those children living in the commonwealth.

The special commission shall consist of: (i) the chairs of the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs, who shall be co-chairs for the commission; (ii) the chairs of the joint committee mental health, substance use and recovery; (iii) the secretary of veterans’ services or a designee; (vi) the commissioner of mental health or a designee; (vii) 1 person to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, whom shall be a veteran; (v) 1 person to be appointed by the president of the senate, whom shall be a veteran; and (vi) 1 person appointed by the governor, whom shall have specialized knowledge of female veterans serving in combat.

All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this resolve. The chairpersons shall meet with the special commission not later than 60 days after the effective date of this resolve.

Not later than 18 months after the enactment of this resolve, the special commission shall submit a report and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs.

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