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H3857 • 2025

An Act amending the definition of veteran

An Act amending the definition of veteran

Active

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

Sponsor
Patrick Joseph Kearney
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 official source does not provide detailed information on what specific requirements must be met or when the law will take effect.

Changing Who Counts as a Veteran

This act updates Massachusetts state law to include members of the United States NOAA Corps, Public Health Service, and Space Force in the definition of veterans.

What This Bill Does

  • Updates the Massachusetts law that defines what it means to be a veteran by including service in the United States NOAA Corps, Public Health Service, and Space Force.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who served in the United States NOAA Corps, Public Health Service, or Space Force can now qualify as veterans under Massachusetts state law if they meet other requirements.

Terms To Know

veteran
A person who has served in a military branch of the U.S. government.
NOAA Corps
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's uniformed service, part of the Department of Commerce.

Limits and Unknowns

  • It is not clear when this bill will become a law or how it will be enforced.
  • This act only affects Massachusetts state laws and does not change federal definitions of veterans.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-01 House

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

  2. 2025-09-30 Joint

    Hearing rescheduled to 09/30/2025 from 01:00 PM-02:50 PM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time

  3. 2025-09-19 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 09/30/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

  4. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

  5. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

  6. House

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

Official Summary Text

An Act amending the definition of veteran
By Representative Kearney of Scituate, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3857) of Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to the definition of veteran. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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Bill H.3857

The language of M.G.L. ch. 4, s.7, clause 43 part (b) is hereby amended by adding after the words

"coast guard" the following words: "United States NOAA Corps, United States Public Health Service, United States Space Force"

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