Staff Report
Boston –Legislation to expand and increase benefits for veterans, active-duty military and their families was passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives in Boston May 16.
The “Valor Act” included a provision sponsored by state Reps. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston), Matthew Beaton (R-Shrewsbury) and George Peterson (R-Grafton) that would allow communities to offer a property-tax work off program for veterans. The program would be similar to one currently offered to senior citizens in many communities, including Westborough.
The Act, legislators said, would ensure that resources be made available for veterans who are facing charges in the state's court system to be evaluated for service-related psychological trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder. It also would allow those veterans to have access to rehabilitative programs already funded by the state and federal governments.
Other provisions of the bill include: streamlining the process for school- age children to transfer to new schools between districts or states; requiring colleges and universities to evaluate whether a veteran's training, coursework and experience is eligible for academic credits; and ensures that a service member with a license or certificate issued by the Department of Public Safety will have at 90 days after returning from active duty to renew that license or certificate.y
“Veterans who return home from military service often cope with challenges that the rest of us can's imagine,” said Dykema. “Sometimes these challenges bring them into contact with the courts, offering a unique opportunity to connect vets with support services that are already available. The bill we passed today will ensure that veterans and their families get the support they need and deserve when they return home.”
At its May 8 meeting, the Westborough Board of Selectmen had voted unanimously to support both the Act and the amendment for the local tax work off provision. Selectman Tim Dodd, who brought the issue to the attention of the board, said, “This program has the potential to provide a real benefit to our local veterans. I was happy to work with our legislative delegation to make this happen.”
“With more and more servicemen and women returning from overseas every day, it is important that we continue to recognize the sacrifices that they have made,” said Beaton. “This measure will go a long way towards renewing our commitment to the men and women who risk their lives on our behalf and help them to transition back to civilian life in Massachusetts.”
“Our returning veterans and their families have made tremendous sacrifices on our behalf and we owe them a debt of gratitude,” said Peterson. “The provisions that we passed today establish programs and services that returning service members need, and provides a meaningful way to thank them for all they do.”
Other provisions of the bill include: streamlining the process for school- age children to transfer to new schools between districts or states; requiring colleges and universities to evaluate whether a veteran's training, coursework and experience is eligible for academic credits; and ensures that a service member with a license or certificate issued by the Department of Public Safety will have at 90 days after returning from active duty to renew that license or certificate.
