THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2024 Page 3 Mass. House passes landmark veterans legislation Bill increases state benefi ts and tax credits and modernizes services for veterans O n May 22, 2024, the Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation that honors veterans in Massachusetts by broadening the defi nition of a veteran, increasing tax credits and state benefi ts that they are eligible for and modernizing the services that they rely on. “An Act honoring, empowering, and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans (HERO Act)” mandates impacting hundreds of thousands of veterans living in Massachusetts. On May 28, the Massachusetts Senate referred the bill to its Committee on Ways and Means. “Ensuring that state government is doing everything that it can to support the Commonwealth’s veterans is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as elected offi cials. Veterans represent the very best of us, having risked their lives in service of this country, which is why we owe them nothing less than our unwavering support,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (DQuincy). “This legislation not only provides increased support for veterans in Massachusetts, through tax credits and enhanced benefi ts, it also takes steps to ensure that the Commonwealth goes to even greater lengths to honor our veterans and gold star families. I want to thank Governor Healey for fi ling the HERO Act, as well as Chairman Michlewitz and Chairman Cassidy for working diligently to guide this bill through the legislative process, and fi nally all of my colleagues in the House for recognizing the importance of supporting our veterans however we can.” “The HERO Act is a transformative package of reforms and dental help beyond other benefi ts available to veterans. • Updates the definition of “dependent” to make it gender neutral and include children over the age of 18 who meet the criteria for emanciMASS HOUSE | SEE Page 5 Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD Jessica Giannino State Representative that will make sure our veterans and their families have access to the benefi ts, resources and support they deserve,” said Governor Maura T. Healey. “As we approach Memorial Day, we are grateful to the House for advancing this essential bill today and look forward to our continued partnership with the Legislature to strengthen veteran services in Massachusetts.” “The HERO Act is a historic piece of legislation that addresses critical quality of life issues that our veterans face every day such as benefi ts, medical assistance, and tax exemptions,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere). “I am thankful to Speaker Mariano for his dedication to improving the lives of our veterans in the Commonwealth and to all our Commonwealth’s service members, both active duty and retired.” “The HERO Act represents the partial redemption of a debt owed by the people of the Commonwealth to our veterans. I am extremely proud to have joined a unanimous House of Representatives in voting for this legislation. The breadth of earned benefits contained in this bill will go Jeff rey Rosario Turco State Representative a long way in expressing our collective ‘thank you’ to our HERO’S,” said Representative Jeff rey Rosario Turco (D-Winthrop). The bill broadens the defi - nition of “veteran” for the purposes of expanding veteran benefi ts eligibility, and to better align it with federal law. This new definition includes any person that served on active duty for at least 90 days, and whose last discharge was under conditions other than dishonorable; any person that served on active duty, in the National Guard or as a reservist, including solely for training purposes and was awarded a service-connected disability, or died in such service; and any person determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Aff airs. Veterans who are current Massachusetts residents will be eligible for benefi ts, regardless of how long they have resided here. The HERO Act includes changes to veterans’ benefi ts in the following areas: • Requires the Secretary of the Executive Offi ce of Veterans Services (EOVS) to provide benefi ts for medical assistance, behavioral health * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net ANNOUNCEMENT REVERE AMERICAN LEGION POST #61 Is reopening soon! We are happy to announce that we have begun taking reservations for our function hall at 249 Broadway, Revere for events after May 20, 2024 For information, please call 781-284-9511 Leave your name and telephone number. Window Glass & Screen Repair
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