BOSTON – State Representatives Randy Hunt (R-Sandwich), and Will Crocker (R-Centerville), are both backing a bill in support of military veterans, it recently passed the house unanimously.
The so called BRAVE act makes changes to veteran diversion in some criminal charges, the changes grant diversion eligible veterans a 30 day continuance on charges for first time offenses.
For first time OUI offenses the veteran must prove the offense was related to post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or substance abuse disorder suffered as a result of their military service. A veteran will not be eligible for diversion if there are any other offenses stemming from the OUI.
The bill doubles state funding assistance for indigent veteran’s burial from $2,000 to $4,000, while increasing the property tax exemption for veterans who perform volunteer work in their community from $1,000 to 1,500. The bill also reduces residency requirements for veterans and their surviving spouses living in Massachusetts to qualify for real estate tax exemptions from five consecutive years of residency to two years.
An additional provision contained in the BRAVE Act gives cities and towns the option to adjust veterans property tax abatements on an annual basis. The amount of the increase cannot exceed the cost of living increase for that year as calculated by the Consumer Price Index.
The Senate voted to accept the conference committee report last week, following a final vote on enactment in the Senate, the bill will be sent to the Governor.
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