The Massachusetts Senate voted last week in favor of legislation to provide enhanced safety, stability, and educational opportunities for military families. The legislation also positions the Commonwealth for greater federal defense investment and economic growth around its six military bases.
An Act to enhance access, inclusion, support and equity for military-connected families, S.2676 — also known as the EASE Act — would guarantee that a child of a military family would have a seat in the classroom at their current school in Massachusetts, even if their parent or guardian is temporarily transferred elsewhere on official orders. If a military family moves permanently and arrives in a Massachusetts community, the bill also requires a timely and seamless transition for students who receive special education services.
To strengthen public safety and increase access to justice around military bases, the legislation allows certain information from the military to be admissible as evidence in state courts for people seeking temporary domestic violence restraining orders. The bill also allows federal judges to transfer juvenile cases to Massachusetts courts for offenses that occur on military bases. The Senate bill further directs National Guard leadership to track and report suicide data among veterans of the Massachusetts National Guard.
Additionally, the Senate passed An Act clarifying the duties of the adjutant general, S.2675, which writes into law that the Adjutant General — Massachusetts’ highest-ranking military officer — has command of all troops in the state National Guard while carrying out the orders of the Governor. A technical clarification, the bill brings state statute around the National Guard chain of command into line with the model used by the vast majority of other states.
“Our military families sacrifice alongside those who serve, and we owe them real support in return,” said Senator Nick Collins. “Ensuring stability for their children and strengthening the structure of our National Guard are meaningful steps in honoring that commitment. When we stand with those who have stood for us, we make our Commonwealth stronger.”
Provisions in the EASE Act respond directly to needs that have been raised by military families in recent years. Addressing these concerns is key to further boosting Massachusetts’ standing on the Department of Defense scorecard, a key metric that the federal government considers when deciding where to increase or maintain its spending for military bases.
Massachusetts is currently among the top 10 states for defense contract spending. More than 57,000 Massachusetts jobs are supported by the state’s six military installations: Fort Devens, Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westover Air Reserve Base, and the Natick Soldier Systems Center.
Both bills were advanced to the floor by votes of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on October 30, 2025, after previous drafts were reviewed and advanced by the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs in September and October. All committee votes are publicly posted on the Legislature’s website.
Separately, the Senate approved legislation — H.3388, An Act designating veterans suicide awareness and remembrance day — that will set aside September 22 of each year as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. That bill, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives, acknowledges that suicide among service members and veterans is an epidemic and calls for annual recognition with a proclamation from the Governor.
All three bills acted upon today were approved by the Senate and now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Contact:
Brian Hurley
Brian.Hurley@masenate.gov
617-722-1150