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H3887 • 2025

An Act relative to the definition of a Veteran in the Commonwealth

An Act relative to the definition of a Veteran in the Commonwealth

Active

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

Sponsor
Jeffrey Rosario Turco
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 material does not provide specific details about the inclusion of newly defined veterans in existing benefits or programs, nor does it specify an effective date if passed.

Expanding Veteran Definition

This act changes the definition of a veteran in Massachusetts to include members who have served in the National Guard or Reserve for 20 years or more.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the current law about what makes someone a veteran in Massachusetts.
  • Adds people who have served at least 20 years in the National Guard or Reserve as veterans.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who served in the National Guard or Reserve for 20 years or more
  • Veteran services and benefits agencies

Terms To Know

veteran
A person who has served in the military, including those now added from the National Guard or Reserve after 20 years of service.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what new benefits or programs will be available to these veterans.
  • It is unclear when this change would take effect if passed.

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 relative to the definition of a Veteran in the Commonwealth
By Representative Turco of Winthrop, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3887) of Jeffrey Rosario Turco and David F. DeCoste for legislation to include certain members of the National Guard in the definition of veterans. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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Bill H.3887

The definition of “veteran” in section 1 of chapter 115 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “Mexican Service,” in line 51, the following words:- ; or (f) served in the national guard or reserve for 20 or more years.

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