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HD 3754

An Act relative to increasing the reimbursement of burial expenses for veterans

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David DeCoste and 7 co-sponsors

Increases MA burial expense reimbursements for veterans: first from $4,000 to $7,000; second from $5,000 to $8,000, easing funeral costs for families.

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Bill Summary · HD 3754

Summary of Bill HD 3754: An Act relative to increasing the reimbursement of burial expenses for veterans

Overview

  • Purpose: Increase the state reimbursement amounts for burial expenses provided to veterans under Massachusetts law.
  • Authority: Amends Chapter 115, Section 8 of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition).
  • Bill status: Proposed bill (no enacted status provided in the excerpt). The version text reflects a 2025-2026 session proposal.

Key Provisions

  • Amendment to Section 8, Chapter 115:

    • Increase the first burial expense reimbursement amount from $4,000 to $7,000.
    • Increase the second burial expense reimbursement amount from $5,000 to $8,000.

  • Text referenced: The amendments modify the figures appearing in Section 8 of Chapter 115 as it currently exists in the 2022 Official Edition, by striking the existing amounts and inserting the higher figures.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Massachusetts veterans who are eligible for burial expense reimbursements under Chapter 115, Section 8.
  • Beneficiary role: The increased reimbursements are intended to offset funeral and related burial costs for eligible veterans, benefiting their families or estates through higher state support.
  • Service providers: Funeral homes and related service providers that bill the state for eligible burial expenses would be affected by the higher reimbursement caps.

Financial and Implementation Considerations

  • Fiscal impact: The bill increases the maximum reimbursement amounts, which would raise state expenditures for burial expense reimbursements. The text provided does not include a separate fiscal note or funding source; any appropriation or funding adjustments would typically be determined through subsequent budget processes.
  • Implementation: If enacted, agencies responsible for administering veteran burial benefits would apply the new limits ($7,000 and $8,000) to qualifying cases.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Introduced/Filed: The version content shows filing in January 2025 (House Docket No. 3754, accompanying House Bill No. 3856) as part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026).
  • Status: Described as a proposed bill; no enactment or committee action details are provided in the excerpt.
  • Related petitions: The bill is sponsored by Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and co-petitioners listed in the accompanying materials.

Bottom Line

HD 3754 proposes a straightforward numerical increase to two burial-expense reimbursement amounts currently provided to veterans under Massachusetts law. If enacted, eligible veterans and their families would receive higher state support for burial costs, with the specific increases raising the first category from $4,000 to $7,000 and the second from $5,000 to $8,000.

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

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