2023-05-15 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
2023-05-15 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER1 - Veterans in federal affairs. This is the first public hearing of the 2023, 2024 legislative session. My name is John Villas. I'm the senate chair of this committee, and I'm joined by my good friend, chair on the house side, representative Jerry Cassidy. And I wanna thank all those who are here being present, both in person and virtually. We're now calling this hearing to order.263 As his tradition and hearings of the veterans and federal affairs committee, I'd like to begin by asking those in attendance and those participating virtually to join us if you can, and pledge of allegiance.
Pleasure of allegiance. Pleasure of the fire. To be able to save some of the matter. And 2 of the follow-up for what you just say, hey, vlog nation, and I love your job. In the visible with liberty and justice for all.
But before we before we get going here, before I turn it over to my friend, the house chair,
SEN VELIS - I just want to begin by saying that everybody on this committee, I think, has a very special honor and calling and what we are dealing with subject matter; veterans and federal affairs. I think it's important to remember as we set off on our work this session that right now in this country, we're dealing with a situation where less than 1/2 of 1% of this country is serving today. We're also having these hearings at a point in time when military recruitment, the number of men and women who are joining our services, hasn't been this low since post Vietnam. One of the things that that tells me is that in our advocacy for veterans, we need to be mindful of that, we351 need351 to be mindful of the fact that those who have the honor of calling themselves a veteran are going to look to357 see what we do as commonwealth and beyond and how we advocate for those who have served, their family members363 and just veterans current past, present and everything in between. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
So with that, I am going to turn it over to my friend, chair Cassie. Thank you.
SPEAKER2 - Thank thank you, mister chairman, and it's it's his honor and privilege to be sitting in with you and and it it's great to look down the committee. And on the senate side, there's former former representatives, all the -- Yeah. -- the representative. You know, this is a great great great committee they were on. I'd like to introduce my my vice chair, Pete Capano. What what a wonderful gentleman he is. Ted Phillips is here, Stel Reyes, Magan, California's here, Shirley Arrega, Patricia Duffy, Alan Sylvia, Rodney Elliot, Steve Exxaro, and Kelly Peace. Thank you all for being here. And it's an honor and frivolous to be here at the speaker. I'm honored to that he appointed me to this, the chairman, Joe. So with that, mister418 chairman, thank you. Thank you very much.
SPEAKER1 - And I do I have to read just a couple of these things. This is what I am. My office has directed me to read this verbatim I don't go off script here. Just some of the housekeeping things involving this committee. This is a hybrid hearing with participation both in person and virtually. Testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person at the discretion of the chairs. As is customary, the committee may take elected officials out of turn to testify. If you are here today in person and have not yet registered, testify, you may do so by filling out the sign in sheet with committee staff at the back of the hearing room. Written testimony will also continue to be accepted by the committee and can't be submitted via email. For members of the committee participating virtually, if you have a question, please use the raise hand feature on teams or communicate via the chat to committee staff. And on the senate side, I rec I wanna recognize senator Anne Govey, vice chair Mike Rush, Senator Mark, Senator Fapman, and all else who are all to be joining.481 If you get here, please let us know, and we'll certainly recognize you. That being said, let's get this committee started.
Really are. Yep. Okay.493 Alrighty. So
Alrighty. So the first bill we will be hearing today is gonna be Jesus Parara and House Bill 3483.
Mister Ferrari here?
SPEAKER3 - Good morning, I am.
SPEAKER1 - Thank you for joining us.
SPEAKER3 - Sure. Thank you for having me. While I get to it,
JESUS PEREIRA - HOLYOKE VETERAN'S HOME - HB 3483 - Good morning, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the House Chair, Representative Gerard Cassidy, Senate Chair, Senator John Velis and members of the Joint Committee of Veterans and Federal Affairs. My name is Jesus Pereira, I'm a member of the Veterans Advocacy Coalition and Director of Veterans Services for the city of Holyoke, and additionally, I am a veteran. I support Bill H 3483 as written. Part 1, Title 17, Chapter 115 Section 3(b) outlines the requirements for veterans benefits and service officers, certification and training, as well as reduction and reimbursement allowance. Section 3B reads, the department shall for any reduction in reimbursement allowance made under Section D, deposit the reimbursement in a trust account. Upon appointing authorities full compliance under Section D, the department shall add this amount to a subsequent reimbursement made to the city or town under Section 6. Section 3 (b) (e) was intended to temporarily penalize municipalities which failed to comply with Section 3B with an opportunity to recoup loss reimbursement by eventually complying with the requirements of section 3B. Unfortunately, what has happened is the lack of enforcement of section 3(b) (e) by DVS, now EOVS, and as it created another step for the agency to deal with.
This leads to out of compliance municipalities just simply recouping their full 75% reimbursement regardless of the compliance of this section. Since there has been a lack of enforcement, many municipalities fall short of complying with this session and as a result, veterans in these communities lack the resources needed626 to support their needs. Training resources and a healthy network of630 service officers is a must if we genuinely want to ensure that local communities are properly addressing the needs of their veterans. As a veteran advocate and service officer, there's a grim reality that642 we have municipalities out of compliance, which impacts our veterans negatively. It is far too often that veterans cross municipal jurisdictions to receive assistance that should be administered in their652 own hometown. Municipal managers or Mayors are aware of the issue, but take advantage of the fact that their full reimbursement will be issued regardless of whether or not they're in compliance with Section 3B. Striking out Section 3(b) (e) will mandate a reduction to 50% of Chapter 115 reimbursements without an option to recoup the loss to the community. I'm confident this will intensify municipalities to comply with Section 3B which in turn will ensure veterans will have an appropriately staffed and trained veteran service office. Barring any questions, that concludes my testimony.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER1 - Mister Brah, thank you very much. I I just wanna say thank you. You are a constant advocate. On legislation and just a veteran's advocacy throughout the commonwealth on a daily basis. I don't have any questions, but I just wanna I just wanna thank you. Members of the committee, mister chairman?
SPEAKER4 - Really? Mhmm.
SPEAKER1 - Mister Brock, thank711 you very much
SPEAKER2 - for your time. Thank you.
SPEAKER3 - Thank you.
SPEAKER1 - And and I just wanna pause here for a second and just confirm. Rep Ariaga, I know this is your bill. I'm not sure if you are on remotely. Just wanna give you an opportunity, obviously, to to speak to this.
Alrighty. Moving on.
Alright. Next up, we have miss Melissa. What we'll let here to testify in senate bill 2336.
MELISSA WILLETTE - DEFENSE STATE LIAISON OFFICE - SB 2336 - Good morning, Mr. Chairman and honorable members of the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee. I am Melissa Willette, I'm the New England Region liaison at the Defense State liaison offer office operating under the direction of the Undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. We represent the department and establish relationships with state leaders across the776 country who are concerned for troops and their family's welfare by harmonizing state and federal law and regulation on policy and problems of national significance. These are identified by the office of the secretary of defense, the military departments and the National Guard Bureau as areas where states can play a crucial role. DOD respectfully submits the Commonwealth can assist the Department of Defense submission to protect military children and other youth from abuse and neglect by enacting the policy set forth in the Bill, which will require child welfare case workers to ask clients that they are associated with the military and provide them the authority to share this information with the appropriate military authorities which facilitates a more consistent approach to collaborative oversight. Each area director shall on behalf of the Department of Children and Families, enter into a memorandum of understanding with the military family advocacy program at a local military installation with respect to child abuse and neglect investigations.
Such memorandums of understanding shall establish procedures and protocols for matters including but not limited to, identifying an individual incredibly alleged to have committed abuse853 and neglect as military personnel, identifying appropriate circumstances for reporting to the military family advocacy program without reducing likelihood of reporting or creating undue risk to the health or well-being of the spouse, intimate partner or child, reporting to a military family advocacy871 program when an investigation implicating military personnel has been initiated and maintaining confidentiality requirements under879 state and federal law. Mr. Chairman, DOD appreciates your recognition of the important relationship between the Department of Children and Families and the Associated Military FAP offices889 in responding and providing891 support and services to address child abuse and military families. The importance and benefit of establishing a reciprocal information sharing requirement through900 state statute serves to support the establishment and ongoing collaboration with local child protective services, offices on MOU statewide. This is not a military law enforcement matter, this is a victim advocacy measure to protect our most vulnerable. In closing, let me say that we are grateful for the tremendous efforts that Massachusetts has historically given in supporting our service members and their families922 and on behalf of the Department of Defense, I thank you for your time and stand ready to answer any questions you may have. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER1 - Miss, will I just just to thank you. Your predecessor, Chris Arnold, and I know that we'll continue with935 you had a really big part. It's this partnership that we had with your with your organization last session that I would argue resulted in what I think is 1 of the best bills that we've passed laws that we've passed in the commonwealth in a long time. Which started on this committee. We've got a lot of committee members who who take a lot of pride in that with the Speed Act. And and and much of that, much of the genesis for that was959 your recommendations and really, really working closely with our office. We appreciate you coming forth with this bill and members of the committee questions.
Thank you so much for your time, and we will certainly be in contact.
SPEAKER6 - Take your
SPEAKER5 - time here.
SPEAKER1 - Yep. I mean, we're just gonna take a brief recess.
Alright. We are out of recess. Next up, we have our colleague, senator Cumberford, who is here to testify on setup bill 2311. Thank you very much for your time.
SEN COMERFORD - SB 2311 - Mr. Chair, thank you. Thank you, Chair Cassidy, Chair Velis and honorable members of the committee. I'll speak very, very briefly about S 2311, an act providing for timely reimbursement of cities and towns for veterans benefits. Of course, many of you know, I'm partnering with my sister in service, Representative Natalie Blais on this Bill, and we are both submitting joint written testimony. I don't think I have to tell this honorable committee, there are about 340,000 if my research is correct, veterans residing in the Commonwealth and many of these individuals use, as they should, the benefits and services provided to them by their local veterans services officers or BSOs. I want to say here that Steve Connor, who I know Senator Velis knows, is the person who brought this issue to me and is the person I have the utmost regard for. He is the BSO for Northampton and a whole big grouping of towns. So these services include, as you know, temporary housing and1342 shelter for homeless veterans, tuition and1344 fee waivers for veterans looking to attend colleges and universities and many1348 other fee waivers, including motor registration, percentages of property tax, other licenses.
I would believe, and1355 I think you believe that these services are really1357 crucial for providing veterans with a way of transitioning back to civilian life honoring their service as well as helping them deal with potentially some difficulties in that transition. So local municipalities, as you know, are responsible for covering the initial costs, they are also entitled to 75%1378 reimbursement1378 by the state. But here's the problem that this Bill seeks to address. The state funding is paid out in installments,1386 which can be more than a year after the expenses are incurred. So this Bill is really simple; it says that the state is required to pay the municipality six months, so cutting that waiting time in half. So six months after the expenditures are certified. That seems reasonable to me particularly for smaller cities and towns, a year's lapse in payment is really difficult as they manage their cash flow and balance their budgets. Frankly, county, for example, has a very large veteran population, approximately 89% of the county. However, many of the towns in Franklin County are fewer than 2000 residents, meaning that there's not a lot of cash to be able to pay these benefits, and there's cash flow problems as a result.
Similarly, in some of the towns that Steve Works with up in the hill towns, that's not my district, but they are also saying to Steve, we can't hang on while we wait for this benefit. So Steve's concern and my shared concern is that the state's delay actually is a reason for these towns to shake loose their responsibility for keeping investing in veteran services officers and their work. So there's no additional cost for this, simply a good government Bill, and it's a good government bill on behalf of the women and men who serve the nation. You've reported it out twice with my sincere thanks and it seems like if the1482 committee is interested in this, this is a small Bill, but it's a meaningful tweak, especially for small communities. There are 181 rural communities that I think would the veterans in those communities would benefit from knowing that their veteran services officers would be able to say the town's, you pay this out, I'll get you your money in six months. That's still a wait time, but it's better than 12 months. So1506 thank you so much for your consideration, I'm happy to answer any questions. Again, Rep Blais and I are going to submit testimony. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Senator, thank you so very1514 much. I guess
VELIS - I would just point out with the highway, what you already said. I mean, the impact that this has on our smaller communities and that really prolonged wait in getting them payment for the work that they have done for our veterans. As1532 you pointed out, this committee has passed it out favorably twice, it's a very powerful Bill. Like you said, it's a good government Bill.
COMERFORD - And it comes from veteran services officers. You know, veterans who have served the nation, you know, like Steve saying to us, hey, I want to do this work, as you said, Mr. Chair. I just want to be able to say to my towns, the state's going to do good business if they invest in veterans.
VELIS - And why this becomes such a challenge, I think, is because when the local VSOs and I don't think they do do this a lot because they're such good people who want the best for the veterans but if they know that they're not going to get payment in a timely period, we don't want to be in a position where they're disincentivized to take on and maybe do more for veterans. I think in some instances that that's happening and that's not a good thing, that's a bad thing for, again, that population, veteran's population. So I really appreciate you bringing this forward. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
7 questions?
Yes, please.
SPEAKER7 - Okay. Please. Yes. Mister Cheer, well, senator, what
REP ELLIOTT - It's a good Bill. I think it makes a lot of sense in the world and having come from the world of, I mean, a large municipality 24 years, what is the delay? I mean, I agree this is something that we should be doing, it's a no brainer, we need to support. What is the delay, particularly in a day and age where everything is electronic, getting these reimbursements back to communities is important. I come from the city of Lowell and we go out as elected officials and if you need something, we're there for you, why the delay considering this has1651 been reported out favorably? SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
1653 Thank1653 you, mister chair.
SPEAKER6 - Well, you1655 know, representative, if I may chairs
SPEAKER2 - Please.
COMERFORD - I think we'd have to ask1661 our friends in the administration. I think there's bureaucracy, it is complicated, it does take time to reimburse, there are processes of certification. One of the things that this Bill addresses is making those processes clear so that there isn't any gray area. If you get1686 a veteran a voucher for college or if you help someone with housing or if you get someone transportation, there is a clear process for getting that municipality's money back. I don't have a good answer for you because a year delay is simply not anything that we should be happy with in government. So, you know, one of the things that my own VSO has told me is, perhaps, VSOs will need better training. That's possible, right? For how to submit these? Maybe better capacity building in their own world. Again, I think it's probably more a bureaucracy thing than a VSO1722 thing but I don't have a good answer for why1726 it takes 12 months to pay a town back for laying up the cash, but good question. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Yeah. No. Thank you. I I appreciate it. Thank you, mister chair.
ELLIOTT - It just seems that if it's staffing, if it's training, whatever the case may be, this should be a priority and thank you for bringing the Bill forward. I'll support it. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank thank you, mister Cher.
SPEAKER1 - Thank you, representative. Any other questions?
Alrighty. Moving on center. Thank you so very much for your time.
SPEAKER6 - I appreciate the committee's1759 time. Thank you, Sharon. Thank you, continue.
SPEAKER1 - Thank you. Big temperature.
But he's gonna be at recess for 30 seconds.
Yeah. I got here speaking about House bill 3483. Welcome, rep.
REP ARRIAGA - HB 3483 - Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the panel, thank you1835 so much for taking the time to hear me out1837 on Bill 3483. I'm here to simply explain why is this so important. This will take away, strike out Subsection E, which will do away with putting funds into a trust. The purpose behind this is simply to hopefully incentivize our cities and towns and hopefully our VSOs to obtain the training that they need in order to help our veterans and we would prefer them to be, of course, at full time. So this is more of a guidance to hopefully show them that this is going to be a better way to serve our veterans and incentivize them. It does do away with 75% of the reimbursement of the cities and towns to receive currently if they're not in compliance. Once again, this is simply just to kind of show them, right now, this is what you're getting and if you actually want to get our veterans, service officers train in a full time staff, we can reimburse you 75% versus the 50% do away with the trust and hopefully, over time, we will have more full time veteran agents. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER1 - Thank you, representing me. Questions from the committee.
Representative, we thank you for your testimony today. We thank you for your service. And we are lucky to have you on this committee. Thank you very much. Yep.
See you there.
Alright. Next up,1928 we have mister Daryl Williams from representative Buddy Williams office. Are you here? Darrell?
SPEAKER4 - Yes, I'm here, but I'm not testifying this morning.
SPEAKER1 - We're not testifying. Okay? I know. No. Right.
SPEAKER4 - Just attending.
SPEAKER1 - Well, we appreciate you joining us. Thank you.
SPEAKER2 - Okay. Thank you.
SPEAKER1 - We're gonna recess again.
Farris Committee is back from recess. Got the Zauros here on House bill 3517 and act enhancing burial expenses for veterans. Welcome representative.
REP XIARHOS - HB 3517 - Thank you, Chair Velis and Chair Cassidy and to the members. 14 years ago, this year, I lost my son in combat in Afghanistan and in honor of Memorial Day, which is coming up, and also military appreciation month, I think the timing on this Bill is very important. We've lived this as a family, fortunately, we were able to pay the cost, part of it was covered by the federal government. My son Nick rests at the national cemetery and born at age 21 but there's families that cannot, and this Bill House Bill, 3517, basically increases the benefits that currently exist. Sadly, prices go up and I think someone that loses their life, that was a veteran, we shouldn't be worried about the expense. Now that I am a State Representative, and a member of this committee, which2285 I'm honored to be, I thought I2287 would read you a real story where someone reached2289 out to me, and it's kind of perfect for this and I'll try to be careful on the names. My name is Daniel Horlick, I'm a funeral director with a funeral home in Plymouth, Massachusetts. I'm helping a lady with a very unfortunate situation for a 38 year old husband, a 14 year army ranger passed very suddenly. He is 100% service connected with post traumatic stress.
Like so many stories, he was addicted to prescription medication which ultimately led to his demise. His name was, Dan and his wife, Christina, he also has two daughters. They ran a2346 small company and when he passed, the company had to close and all that was available to them was a grave stung at the national cemetery and born, where my son rests, along with 80000 other veterans. So this funeral director discounted as much as he could and he reached out to every organization, including federal elected officials and they were2381 able to get a small grant which put a small dent in the amount. He's saying I've done everything I possibly can to get help for this life, but unfortunately, there seems to be2395 nothing available for men and women such as Dan. When America needed dirty work done, those people2401 like Dan, they turned to, and,2407 as2407 unfortunately, your family knows all too well. I hope2411 there is some way you can help this woman or know of a way that we can help his family. Respectfully, Dan, from his funeral home, and they still owe the money. So we're working with their VSO, thank God for our VSOs to fill the gap but this Bill would address that and even more, and I ask for your support. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER1 - Representative. Thank you so much. First and foremost, having had the benefit in honor talking to you about your son, Nick, Avan. That sacrifice the passion that you advocate for veterans, those who are still here, those who lost their lives, and every facet of their service is to me nothing short of remarkable. So thank you for that. Thank you for your advocacy on this bill. Those stories like that are tough to hear, to your point, an army ranger who for years and years deployed, my guess would be multiple times. Came back, like so often is the case with many veterans and got caught up in addiction. So I appreciate you bringing this forward. I appreciate your testimony. Question committee.
Thank you, representative.
SPEAKER4 - Thank you, sir.
SPEAKER1 - Mazing recess again.
Representative of SEDA. We Are you2841 here to testify on Houseville 3537?
SPEAKER9 - Yes. Yes. I am. Can you hear me?
SPEAKER1 - Loud and clear. The floor is yours, representative.
REP SENA - HB 3537 - Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, thank you, Chair Velis and Cassidy, and the rest of the committee for the opportunity to testify today in this important Bill. I represent Denvas, and Denvas has a large military community in my district. It has over 400 active duty, a personnel, 2200 reservists, and 1500 family members on base. With many other in surrounding communities, I filed this Bill because I care about them and2884 their families as well as the military personnel and families across the commonwealth. The family advocacy program or FAP is an agency responsible for the investigating reports of domestic abuse or domestic violence and child abuse, and neglecting military families. They act on reports from medical facilities and government agencies. They investigate thousands of reports every year, but cannot act on reports they aren't aware of. This Bill will close a reporting gap between medical providers and the FAP.
This gap can prevent children and families from receiving assistance and resources from the FAP. In 2016, a study from the University2939 of Pennsylvania found that only 20.8% of child abuse reports or diagnosis from civilians, medical facilities regarding children of family, personnel had responding reports with the FAP. This lack of reporting is attributed to CPS agencies for not reporting to the FAP. This Bill would require the Department of Children and Family to determine if subject of any credible report is a member of the military, and contact the FAP if so. It would also require DCF in areas from directors, to reach out to local base, to establish relationships, with the FAP, and build procedures to deal with reports of domestic violence, child abuse and military personnel. This Bill would allow children and families to get necessary support from the FAP in cases of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. So I ask that you consider this Bill and report it out favorably from the committee. I just thank you for the time for allowing me to speak this morning. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Representative. Thank you for your time. Questions from the committees. It's their chairman.
SPEAKER2 - Our representative thank you very much for filing this. You and the3031 representative Howard. This is chairman Cassidy. I just want to thank you very much. It's very important to this committee.
SPEAKER9 - Absolutely, though. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER1 - Anybody else? Questions?
Thank you very much for your time, representative.
SPEAKER9 - Thank you senators of those.
SPEAKER1 - So before3056 we adjourn, I just wanna make sure3058 that there's Nobody on virtually who wants to testify or in person who wants to testify on under on any matter before us today.
Thanks, I wanna thank everyone vibe today, again, for taking your time to advocate and contribute to this committee's work. I'd also like to thank all the committee members, all the staff, LIS, court officers, everybody. And with that, I have a motion to adjourn. Do I have a second?
SPEAKER2 - No. Uh-huh. Adjourned.
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