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On August 8, 2024, Governor Maura Healey made history by signing into law An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing Our Service Members and Veterans, commonly called the HERO Act. This legislation marks the most comprehensive and expansive package dedicated to the welfare of veterans in Massachusetts in over 20 years.The HERO Act honors the service and sacrifice of Massachusetts veterans and empowers them by improving access to critical services and resources. With over 30 provisions, the legislation strengthens the state’s commitment to its veterans and their families by expanding access to health services, financial support, tax credits, and other essential benefits. These provisions have been designed to meet the needs of current and future generations of veterans, providing them with the care and support they deserve.
Key Features of the HERO Act:
1. Benefit Expansion:
- Behavioral Health Treatment: Expands access to behavioral health treatment, ensuring veterans can be reimbursed for visits to outpatient providers.
- Increased Disabled Veteran Annuity: This increases the annual annuity for disabled veterans from $2,000 to $2,500, phased in over two years and paid on August 1 annually.
- Increased Vet-Hire Tax Credit: This program offers a $2,500 tax credit to small businesses hiring veterans who are chronically unemployed or low-income, including those receiving SNAP benefits or with a service-connected disability.
- Active-Duty Buyback Program: This bill extends the eligibility period for public service veterans to utilize the Active-Duty Buyback Program from 180 days to 10 years.
Prevents the 'COLA Cliff': This bill protects veterans from losing Chapter 115 benefits mid-fiscal year due to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in Social Security benefits.
- Property Tax Exemptions: Allows municipalities to double property tax exemptions for veterans and ties these exemptions to inflation.
- Sales Tax Exemption: Safeguards the sales tax exemption for disabled veterans using the Purple Heart license plate.
- Support for Military-Connected Students: This law requires public school districts to offer support services to military-connected students when a parent or guardian is called to active duty.
- Military Family Advocacy Program: Establishes a program to protect against child abuse on military installations.
2. Commitment to Inclusivity:
- Broader Definition of Veteran: Aligns the state Chapter 115 program's definition of a veteran with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs definition, ensuring more veterans are eligible for benefits.
- Veterans Equality Review Board: Expands the scope of the board to include discharges related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST), PTSD, TBI, and other health conditions.
- Expanded Definition of Veteran Dependents: This adjusts the definition to align with Family Court interpretations, allowing more dependents to qualify for support.
3. Modernization of Veterans Services:
- Dental and Medical Assistance: This bill codifies access to essential dental and medical care under Chapter 115, ensuring consistent healthcare for veterans.
- Veterans Cemeteries: Formalizes Massachusetts veterans' cemeteries' management and care standards.
- Inclusive Language: Updates statutory language in Chapters 115 and 115A to make it gender-neutral and more inclusive.
- Study on Alternative Therapies: Initiates a working group to explore the use of alternative therapies, such as psilocybin, to treat veterans' mental health disorders.
4. Recognition and Honor:
- Half-Staff Flag Requirement: Mandates that flags be flown at half-staff from the day of a military service member’s death until the day of interment.
- Gold Star Families Recognition: This law requires the Governor to issue a proclamation on Memorial Day and light certain bridges in gold to honor Gold Star Families.
- New Service Days: Establishes United States Space Force Day on December 20 and the United States Merchant Marine Day on May 22, ensuring recognition of these vital service branches.
The HERO Act Town Hall
To ensure veterans and their families are informed about the extensive provisions of the HERO Act, the Executive Office of Veterans Services, Billerica Veterans Services, and the Billerica Elks will host a HERO Act Town Hall on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 14 Webb Brook Road, Billerica, MA. The event will begin at 2 PM, and all veterans and their families will be invited to attend this free event.
The Town Hall will provide a comprehensive overview of the HERO Act, with Secretary Jon Santiago of the Executive Office of Veterans Services leading the presentation. Attendees can participate in a Q&A session, ask questions, and discuss how these changes will impact them. The event is a unique chance for veterans to engage directly with policymakers and ensure they understand the benefits available to them under this new law.
Why Attend?
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to learn about the most expansive package of veterans' benefits Massachusetts has ever seen. Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or an advocate for veterans' rights, the HERO Act Town Hall will offer crucial insights into how the legislation affects you and your loved ones. Don't miss the chance to stay informed, ask questions, and get the most out of this transformative legislation.
Veterans have given so much to this country. Now, with the HERO Act, Massachusetts is giving back—ensuring that veterans and their families are honored, empowered, and recognized in ways that will make a real, lasting difference.
Mark your calendars for December 2!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
14 Webb Brook Rd, Billerica, MA 01821-3731, United States
