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H 3850

An Act establishing the Massachusetts veterans service dog program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dennis Gallagher and 6 co-sponsors

Establishes a Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Program with a dedicated fund, statewide training, and aims to match eligible veterans with a trained service dog within one year.

Accompanied a study order, see H5466 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 3850

Summary of H.3850: An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Program

Overview

  • Purpose: Establish a statewide program to assist Massachusetts veterans with disabilities by providing trained service dogs. The Office of Veterans’ Services would administer the program, partner with a contracted service-dog organization, and ensure eligible veterans receive a dog within roughly one year.
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: Hearing scheduled for July 22, 2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM in A-2
  • Principal sponsor: Representative Tara T. Hong (Lowell)
  • Related action: Referred to the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs; Senate concurrence noted in the bill history

Key Provisions

1) Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Fund

  • Creation of a dedicated fund within the Commonwealth’s books (Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Fund).
  • Funding sources:
    • General court appropriations or transfers expressly designated to the fund
    • Public and private gifts, grants, and donations
    • Interest earnings on fund assets
  • Use and administration:
    • Funds expended by the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services (EOVS) for the Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Program without requiring a new appropriation for each expenditure
    • Money remaining at the end of a fiscal year does not revert to the General Fund and continues to accrue interest for ongoing use

2) Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Program (Chapter 115, new Sec. 19)

  • Definitions:
    • “Service dog”: a dog trained to assist a veteran with a disability, performing tasks under the ADA (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.)
    • “Office”: Executive Office of Veterans’ Services
    • “Veteran”: person who served in the U.S. Armed Forces with an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions
  • Program duties:
    • Assess veterans’ needs for service dogs
    • Partner with a professional service dog organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and headquartered in Massachusetts to procure and train dogs
    • Match trained service dogs with eligible veterans and strive to provide a service dog within 1 year
    • Provide resources and training to facilitate the veteran–dog transition
  • Eligibility for participation:
    • Must be a Massachusetts resident
    • Must have a documented disability that may benefit from a service dog
    • Must obtain a recommendation from a licensed healthcare or mental health professional
  • Accountability:
    • Annual report detailing program implementation, number of matches, and impact on participating veterans
    • Reports submitted to the Governor, chairs of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, and the House and Senate clerks

3) Licensure Fee Provision

  • Amends Chapter 140, Sec. 139(c) to add that no license fee shall be charged for a service dog license issued under section 19 of Chapter 115

4) Effective Date

  • The act would take effect one year after enactment

Who Would Be Affected

  • Massachusetts veterans with disabilities seeking service dogs
  • The Executive Office of Veterans’ Services (administrative lead)
  • Partner service-dog organizations accredited by ADI (with Massachusetts headquarters)
  • Veterans’ health and social services communities that interact with veterans requiring assistance dogs

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Hearing date set for July 22, 2025 (A-2)
  • Initial referral: Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
  • The bill includes reporting and ongoing oversight provisions to track implementation and impact

Potential Impact

  • Provides a dedicated funding stream and statewide program to improve access to service dogs for veterans
  • Encourages partnership with a locally headquartered, accredited service-dog organization
  • Establishes measurable timelines (within 1 year for dog matching) and annual reporting
  • Removes license fees for service dogs linked to the program, potentially reducing costs for veterans

Related note: HD 383 is listed as a related bill (replaces), indicating potential alignment or substitution in subsequent actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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