House Passes Legislation to Support, Honor Veterans Ahead of Memorial Day

May 23rd, 2024 - BOSTON- Yesterday, as Representative Dylan Fernandes hosted 30 Cape Cod veterans to the State House, the House passed legislation backed by Rep. Fernandes to support and honor Massachusetts veterans. Multiple generations of veterans from the Cape and Islands were on the House floor minutes before the voting opened for the HERO Act to tour the State House and support veterans.

"Veterans and their families have sacrificed immensely for our country, and it is our duty to support them in every way possible," said Rep. Fernandes. "This legislation is the largest veteran benefit bill in a generation supporting health services, resources, and increased funding to veterans and their families."

An Act honoring, empowering, and recognizing our servicemembers and veterans (dubbed the “HERO Act”) will support veterans and their families by:

• Increasing tax incentives to small businesses that hire veterans from $2,000 to $2,500,
• Raising annuity payments for blind, paraplegic, or disabled veterans from $2,000 to $2,500,
• Ensuring veterans do not immediately lose state veterans’ benefits if a cost-of-living adjustment to Social Security makes them ineligible, and
• Establishing new benefits for medical assistance, behavioral health assistance, and dental assistance.
  

The vote took place while a group of 30 veterans from the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) were visiting the State House. The veterans were recognized by the House of Representatives for their selfless service and sacrifices to our country.

The HERO Act was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. It now proceeds to the Senate for further consideration.

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