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S 2460

Authorizes the secretary of state to appoint a person from the utility intervention unit within the consumer protection division to serve on the state energy planning board

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie and 1 co-sponsor

Extends MA's common application to include Chapter 115 veterans benefits, letting low-income veterans apply via the same system; prompts agency updates and staff training.

SUBSTITUTED BY A4712
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Bill Summary · S 2460

Summary — S.2460 (Massachusetts) — "An Act creating equal access to a common application for low‑income veterans"

Status: Introduced (filed Jan 16, 2025); SUBSTITUTED BY A4712 (6/5/2025). Primary sponsor: Sen. Sal N. DiDomenico. Committee referrals and actions reported in legislative record; see official legislative website for current status.

Purpose / Intent

The bill seeks to ensure that veterans seeking state veterans services benefits under Chapter 115 of the Massachusetts General Laws are able to access those benefits through the State's existing "common application" used for certain public assistance programs. In short, it would extend equal access to the common application process to low‑income veterans applying for Chapter 115 benefits, reducing barriers and streamlining enrollment.

Key provision(s)

  • Amends Section 18AA of Chapter 6A of the Massachusetts General Laws (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition) by inserting the words:
    • After the existing phrase “chapters 117A and 118,” add: "veterans services benefits under Chapter 115 of the General Laws,".
  • Effectively adds Chapter 115 veterans services benefits to the list of programs covered by the statutory common application process established under Section 18AA.

(Exact statutory amendment is limited to the single insertion described above.)

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: low‑income veterans and their dependents who are eligible for Chapter 115 veterans services benefits — these applicants would be able to apply through the State’s common application system.
  • Administrative entities: state agencies and local offices that participate in or administer the common application (they would need to integrate Chapter 115 benefit processing into that workflow).
  • Veterans’ service officers, caseworkers, and community providers who assist veterans with benefit enrollment (procedures, outreach, and training may change).
  • Potentially the Commonwealth’s budget/benefit caseload: broader, easier access could increase applications and enrollment in Chapter 115 benefits; fiscal impact would depend on resulting uptake and is not specified in the bill text.

Practical impacts and implementation considerations

  • Administrative changes: technical updates to the common application platform, staff training, and coordination among agencies that manage the common application and Chapter 115 benefit determinations.
  • Access and equity: simplifies the application process for veterans by reducing multiple application silos and aligning veterans benefits with other low‑income assistance programs.
  • Fiscal: while the bill does not authorize additional funding, expanded access could increase state expenditures if more eligible veterans enroll; an agency fiscal estimate would clarify magnitude.

Procedural notes / timeline

  • Filed as Senate Docket No. 1791 / Senate No. 2460 (filed 1/16/2025) by Sen. Sal N. DiDomenico.
  • Legislative record indicates committee referrals and further actions; the bill record also shows it was substituted by companion bill A4712 on 6/5/2025. Interested parties should consult the official Massachusetts Legislature website for the current bill language, fiscal notes, and final status.

Related legislation

  • Companion / substitute: A4712 (substitution recorded 6/5/2025).
  • Prior related Senate docket(s) referenced in legislative materials (for historical context): SD 1791, S.4427, S.5290, etc.

If you want, I can: (1) pull the current status and full text of A4712 from the Massachusetts Legislature site, (2) prepare a short fiscal/administrative impact checklist for agencies, or (3) draft suggested implementation language to accompany the common application rollout.

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

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