§ 1 — Definitions

Section 1. The following words, as used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meaning:--[ Definition of "Dependent'' effective until August 8, 2024. For text effective August 8, 2024, see below.]"Dependent'', the wife, husband, widow, widower, child, mother or father of a veteran, as hereinafter defined, including any person who stood in the relationship of a parent to such veteran for the five years next preceding the commencement of his wartime service; provided, that no child of a veteran who is more than eighteen years of age shall be deemed a dependent, unless such child is attending school for the purpose of completing a regulation high school course or its equivalent, or unless he is mentally or physically unable to support himself, and his disability existed before he attained that age, or unless he is under twenty-three years of age, and is a full-time student at an educational institution which maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and has a regularly organized body of students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are carried on.[ Definition of "Dependent'' as amended by 2024, 178, Sec. 56 effective August 8, 2024. For text effective until August 8, 2024, see above.]"Dependent'', the spouse, widowed person, child or parent of a veteran, including any person who stood in the relationship of a parent to such veteran for the 5 years next preceding the commencement of the veteran's wartime service; provided, that no child of a veteran who is older than 18 years of age shall be deemed a dependent, unless the child meets the criteria established for emancipation pursuant to section 28 of chapter 208 or section 9 of chapter 209C or unless the child is mentally or physically unable to support themselves after attaining the age of 23.[ Definition of "Reside'' effective until August 8, 2024. For text effective August 8, 2024, see below.]"Reside'', to be present within a city or town of the commonwealth, notwithstanding the lack of a present abode, with no present intention of definite and early removal, but not necessarily with the intention of remaining permanently; provided, however, that any such person who enters the commonwealth solely for the purpose of obtaining benefits under this chapter shall not be considered to reside in the commonwealth; and, provided further, that an applicant lacking a present abode shall be required to provide an affidavit stating his identity, his last place of residence and his intention to establish an abode within the city or town in which he applies.[ Definition of "Reside'' as amended by 2024, 178, Secs. 57 and 58 effective August 8, 2024. For text effective until August 8, 2024, see above.]"Reside'', to be present within a city or town of the commonwealth, notwithstanding the lack of a present abode, with no present intention of definite and early removal, but not necessarily with the intention of remaining permanently; provided, however, that any such person who enters the commonwealth solely for the purpose of obtaining benefits under this chapter shall not be considered to reside in the commonwealth; and, provided further, that an applicant lacking a present abode shall be required to provide an affidavit stating the applicant's identity, the applicant's last place of residence and the applicant's intention to establish an abode within the city or town in which the applicant applies."Institution'', any hospital, sanatorium or wayfarer's lodge, boarding or rest home, or convalescent or nursing home, for the operation of which a license is required by law, any facility conducted by an agency incorporated under chapter one hundred and eighty or any special act as a charitable corporation and any facility operated by municipal, county, state or federal government."Secretary'', the secretary of veterans' services.[ Definition of "Veteran'' effective until August 8, 2024. For text effective August 8, 2024, see below.]"Veteran'', any person who (a) is a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter four; or (b) meets all the requirements of said clause Forty-third except that instead of performing wartime service as so defined he has served on active duty in the Mexican border service, between June thirteenth, nineteen hundred and sixteen, and February third, nineteen hundred and seventeen; or (c) is entitled to the Civil War, Indian Campaign, Spanish Campaign, or Spanish War Service Medal; or (d) meets all the requirements of said clause Forty-third except that instead of performing ninety days active service, at least one day of which was for wartime service, he has performed active service in the armed forces of the United States at any time between April sixth, nineteen hundred and seventeen and November eleventh, nineteen hundred and eighteen, inclusive; or (e) meets all the requirements of said clause Forty-third, except that instead of performing wartime service as so defined he is entitled to any of the following campaign badges: First Nicaraguan, Haitian, Dominican, Yangtze River, Second Yangtze River, Second Nicaraguan, Vera Cruz, Mexican Service; provided, that in any case the service of such person was credited to Massachusetts, or such person has resided in the commonwealth for 1 day.[ Definition of "Veteran'' as amended by 2024, 178, Sec. 48 effective August 8, 2024. For text effective until August 8, 2024, see above.]"Veteran'', any person who (a) is a veteran as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4; or (b) served on active duty in the armed forces for at least 90 days and whose last discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; or (c) served on active duty, to include active duty solely for training purposes, in the armed forces, and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (d) served in the national guard or as a reservist in any branch of the armed forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was awarded a service-connected disability or who died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; or (e) is determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; provided, that in any case, the service of such person qualified under clause (a) through clause (e) was entered into or served in Massachusetts, or such person has resided in the commonwealth for 1 day, except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran's dependents.[ Definition of "Veterans' agent'' or "Part-time veterans' agent'' effective until August 8, 2024. For text effective August 8, 2024, see below.]"Veterans' agent'' or "Part-time veterans' agent'', a veteran, as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter four, appointed under section three to disburse veterans' benefits in any city or town, or, if no such appointment has been made, the mayor of the city or the selectmen of the town disbursing such benefits; in Boston, the veterans' benefits and services commissioner.[ Definition of "Veterans' agent'' or "Part-time veterans' agent'' as amended by 2024, 178, Sec. 59 effective August 8, 2024. For text effective until August 8, 2024, see above.]"Veterans' agent'' or "Part-time veterans' agent'', a veteran, appointed under section three to disburse veterans' benefits in any city or town, or, if no such appointment has been made, the mayor of the city or the selectmen of the town disbursing such benefits; in Boston, the veterans' benefits and services commissioner."Veterans' benefits'', the benefits provided by this chapter. When used in any statute, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation, the phrases "state aid'', "military aid'', "soldiers' relief'', "soldiers' burial'', or any words or phrases connoting the same, shall mean veterans' benefits.