Bill
H 3847
Establishes a Massachusetts Orange Heart Medal and an Agent Orange Information and Assistance Program to recognize and support veterans exposed to agent orange and burn pits.
Overview
- Purpose: Establish recognition and assistance programs for veterans and service members affected by exposure to agent orange and burn pits, including a new Massachusetts orange heart medal and an information/assistance program with an advisory board.
- Status: Hearing scheduled for July 22, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM) in Committee Room A-2. Introduced February 27, 2025. Referred to the House Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs; Senate concurrence noted. Related bill: HD 1528 (replaces).
- Scope: Applies to members of the U.S. armed forces (active, reserve), or Massachusetts National Guard with MA ties, who have exposure to agent orange or other chemical agents, and to veterans in Massachusetts.
Key Provisions
1) Massachusetts Orange Heart Medal (Chapter 33, new Section 67C)
- Creation: A Massachusetts orange heart medal to honor service members or veterans with service-connected diseases, conditions, or injuries related to exposure to agent orange, burn pits, or other harmful toxins.
- Eligibility:
- Exposure occurred while serving in the U.S. armed forces, including active or reserve components or MA National Guard.
- The service member entered service or state active duty from Massachusetts, was a Massachusetts resident at death, or was a MA National Guard member at death.
- Must have served after December 6, 1941.
- Award Process: A commission consisting of the Adjutant General (or designee) and two field-grade officers, detailed by the Commander-in-Chief, will make recommendations to award the medal.
- Relationship to Other Honors: Awarding the orange heart medal does not preclude awarding the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity (existing 67B).
2) Agent Orange Information and Assistance Program (Chapter 115, new Section 18; definitions)
- Definitions: Clarifies terms such as “Agent orange,” “Chemical agent,” “Board,” “Program,” and “Vietnam veteran.”
- Veterans Agent Orange Advisory Board:
- Composition: 3 members appointed by the Secretary of Veterans’ Services and 2 by the Governor.
- Qualifications: Members must have education/experience in veterans benefits and programs; a majority must be veterans.
- Terms/Operations: Five-year terms; chair chosen by majority vote; quorum required for business; members serve without compensation.
- Program Responsibilities:
- Study, evaluate, and share information on epidemiology, genetics, and related research on chemical agents and health effects.
- Provide medical information to health professionals about detection, diagnosis, and treatment of exposure-related conditions.
- Monitor and report on federal and other states’ activities related to chemical exposure.
- Assess and monitor state and local programs to identify gaps and address needs of Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post-9/11 veterans.
- Offer genetic information, screening, and counseling related to potential genetic effects of exposure.
- Establish public information channels about agent orange to reach affected veterans.
- Create and maintain a central registry of veterans exposed to agent orange or other chemicals.
- Refer veterans to appropriate state and federal resources for treatment of related conditions.
- Assist veterans in filing disability compensation claims tied to exposure.
- Communicate veterans’ concerns to state and federal officials.
- Regulations: The Secretary shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement the section.
Procedural and Timeline Aspects
Impact and Affected Parties
Notes
- The bill emphasizes recognition, information sharing, medical and claims assistance, and coordination with federal/state resources, with a specific focus on agent orange and burn pit exposures.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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