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SD 597

An Act relative to outreach to veterans

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul McMurtry and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a state program to reimburse municipalities for 75% of veterans outreach costs, up to $2,000 per event, administered by VSOs once the Secretary issues regulations.

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Bill Summary · SD 597

Summary: Senate Bill SD 597 — An Act relative to outreach to veterans

What this bill changes (main purpose)

  • Establishes a state program to financially support municipal outreach efforts to veterans.
  • Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans’ Services to reimburse municipalities for a portion of their local veterans’ outreach costs.

Key provisions

  • Legislative change: Amends Chapter 115, Section 5 of the General Laws (as of the 2022 edition) by inserting a new provision after paragraph 7.
  • Reimbursement mechanism: The Secretary of Veterans’ Services shall promulgate regulations to reimburse municipalities for outreach costs incurred by local departments of veterans’ services.
  • Eligible reimbursements: Reimbursement amount is 75% of all outreach expenses, subject to a cap.
  • Cap: Reimbursed amount not to exceed $2,000 per eligible outreach expense event or activity (i.e., the maximum reimbursement paid would be $2,000, even if 75% of costs would exceed that cap).
  • Administration: Reimbursements to be administered by the municipalities’ local veterans’ service officers (VSOs).

Who is affected

  • Municipalities with local departments of veterans’ services will be eligible to seek reimbursement for outreach activities.
  • Local Veterans’ Service Officers and their offices would administer and process the outreach reimbursements.
  • The Secretary of Veterans’ Services would be responsible for issuing the regulations governing the reimbursement program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced as a proposed bill in the 2025-2026 Massachusetts General Court (Senate Docket No. 597; Senate No. 2490).
  • Regulatory pathway: The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans’ Services to promulgate regulations implementing the reimbursement program.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the text; implementation would follow the promulgation of regulations and any subsequent legislative action needed to fund or authorize the program.
  • Legislative context: Similar proposal previously filed in the 2023-2024 session (Senate No. 2349), indicating ongoing interest in formal veteran outreach funding.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Financial: Creates a state-funded incentive to increase municipal veteran outreach by covering 75% of outreach costs, capped at $2,000 per eligible activity, potentially expanding access to benefits and resources for veterans.
  • Administrative: Requires development of regulatory guidelines by the Secretary of Veterans’ Services and coordinated claims processing by VSOs at the local level.
  • Equity and reach: Could encourage smaller municipalities with limited outreach budgets to expand veteran services and outreach efforts.

Note: The bill language indicates a focus on expanding outreach to veterans through funded municipal programs, with a clear 75% reimbursement mechanism and a $2,000 cap, contingent on future regulations by the Secretary of Veterans’ Services.

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

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