# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 3: Appointment of veterans' agents; powers and duties > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S3 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 3 - **Heading:** Appointment of veterans' agents; powers and duties - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XVII / Chapter 115 / Section 3 ## Text Section 3. The mayor of each city, except Boston, shall and the board of selectmen of each town may appoint a veterans' agent who shall serve for a term of up to 3 years and shall be eligible for reappointment. The veterans' agent may act for the mayor or the board of selectmen in the disbursement of veterans' benefits by the city or town; provided, however, that in each town that has a part-time veterans' agent, the town clerk shall receive applications and assist applicants for veterans' benefits and shall submit the applications to the veterans' agent. Two or more contiguous towns may, by vote of the selectmen, appoint one person to serve as veterans' agent for such towns and may apportion the payment of compensation among such towns. Every veterans' agent shall, from time after the original allowance of any claim for veterans' benefits, make such investigations of the necessities and qualifications of the claimant as to prevent the payment of any such benefits contrary to any provision of this chapter. Every such agent shall, within three days after receipt of an application from or on behalf of a veteran, a veteran's spouse or widowed person, for special care, notify the secretary thereof upon blank forms approved by the secretary; upon the agent's refusal or unreasonable neglect to give such notice, such agent shall be punished by a fine of twenty-five dollars. Upon the request of any veteran, the veterans' agent for the city or town in which the veteran resides shall record the veteran's discharge or release papers, without charge, in books kept by the agent for that purpose. Said agent shall keep an index of papers so recorded, and copies thereof, if attested by the agent, shall be admissible in evidence to the same extent and with the same effect as the originals. Section 3. The mayor of each city, except Boston, shall and the board of selectmen of each town may appoint a veterans' agent who shall serve for a term of up to 3 years and shall be eligible for reappointment. The veterans' agent may act for the mayor or the board of selectmen in the disbursement of veterans' benefits by the city or town; provided, however, that in each town that has a part-time veterans' agent, the town clerk shall receive applications and assist applicants for veterans' benefits and shall submit the applications to the veterans' agent. Two or more contiguous towns may, by vote of the selectmen, appoint one person to serve as veterans' agent for such towns and may apportion the payment of compensation among such towns. Every veterans' agent shall, from time after the original allowance of any claim for veterans' benefits, make such investigations of the necessities and qualifications of the claimant as to prevent the payment of any such benefits contrary to any provision of this chapter. Every such agent shall, within three days after receipt of an application from or on behalf of a veteran, a veteran's spouse or widowed person, for special care, notify the secretary thereof upon blank forms approved by the secretary; upon the agent's refusal or unreasonable neglect to give such notice, such agent shall be punished by a fine of twenty-five dollars. Upon the request of any veteran, the veterans' agent for the city or town in which the veteran resides shall record the veteran's discharge or release papers, without charge, in books kept by the agent for that purpose. Said agent shall keep an index of papers so recorded, and copies thereof, if attested by the agent, shall be admissible in evidence to the same extent and with the same effect as the originals. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 2 Powers and duties of secretary of veterans' services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 2A Enforcement of decisions relative to benefits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S2A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 2B Veterans employment opportunities commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S2B.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 2C Program to enhance employment opportunities and outcomes among veterans](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S2C.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 2D Civilian licensure and certification opportunities available to members of the armed forces and veterans](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S2D.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 2E Veterans' benefits and services notice; creation and distribution; contents; applicability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S2E.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 3 Appointment of veterans' agents; powers and duties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 3A Use of photostatic copies of discharge papers of veterans](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S3A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 3B Veterans' benefits and services officers; certification and training; reduction in reimbursement allowance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S3B.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 4 Applications for veterans' benefits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 5 Payment of veterans' benefits by city or town; assignment of benefits; dishonorable discharge, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 5A Lien upon real estate of certain recipients of veterans' benefits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S5A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 115, sec. 6 Reimbursement of cities and towns for veterans' benefits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S6.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVII_C115_S3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.