An Act amending the definition of veteran

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul McMurtry

Expands MA veteran definition to include NOAA Corps, USPHS Commissioned Corps, and Space Force, broadening state veteran benefits eligibility.

Overview

Bill number: House Docket No. 3961 (HD 3961)

Title: An Act amending the definition of veteran

Sponsor: Representative Paul McMurtry (Dedham), 11th Norfolk

Session context: Filed in January 2025 for the 194th Massachusetts General Court (2025-2026). The bill is a proposed amendment to Massachusetts General Laws.

Status: Not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt. The text shows initial filing and sponsor information.

What the bill would do

The bill amends M.G.L. ch. 4, § 7, clause 43, part (b).

It adds three branches/services to the list of armed-forces-related entities recognized in the definition of “veteran,” coming after the term “coast guard.” The added entities are:

United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps (NOAA Corps)
United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps
United States Space Force

In practical terms, this expands the set of individuals who could be considered veterans under Massachusetts state law for purposes tied to the veteran definition (e.g., eligibility for state veteran benefits, programs, or services that rely on this statutory definition).

Key provisions and changes

Existing language: The definition of “veteran” in M.G.L. ch. 4, § 7, clause 43 part (b) currently references certain service components (including the Coast Guard).

Amendment language: The bill adds the following phrase right after “coast guard”:

“United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps, United States Public Health Service, United States Space Force”

The change is focused and definitional; it does not create new programs or funding by itself, but it broadens who is eligible under the state’s veteran-related framework.

Affected parties and implications

Affected individuals: Members and former members of the NOAA Corps, USPHS Commissioned Corps, and United States Space Force who fall within Massachusetts’ state veteran framework.

State agencies and programs impacted: Agencies administering veteran services, benefits, licensing preferences, commemorations, or priority access programs in Massachusetts that rely on the statutory definition of “veteran.”

Administrative considerations: Agencies may need to adjust eligibility determinations, outreach materials, and internal guidance to reflect the expanded definition.

Procedural and timeline notes

Filed date / format: The bill appears in the House Docket as House No. 3870, filed January 17, 2025.

Reference to prior similar matter: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 session (H. 3512).

Next steps: As a proposed bill, it would advance through committee review, potential hearings, and floor votes in both chambers before (if enacted) being signed into law by the Governor. Specific timelines would depend on committee schedules and legislative actions in the 2025-2026 session.

Bottom line

HD 3961 proposes a targeted, definitional expansion of who qualifies as a “veteran” under Massachusetts law by explicitly including NOAA Corps, USPHS Commissioned Corps, and the United States Space Force. This could broaden eligibility for state veteran benefits and services that rely on the statutory veteran definition, subject to passage and any additional regulatory follow-up.

Bill