Massachusetts § 40 - Board of trustees for state-operated veterans' homes

§ 40. Board of trustees for state-operated veterans' homes

  Section 40. (a) There shall be a board of trustees for each state-operated veterans' home, consisting of 5 persons, 3 of whom shall be war veterans, Gold Star Mothers or Gold Star family members, family members of active or former residents or family members of disabled American veterans. Upon the expiration of the term of office of a member, a successor shall be appointed by the secretary of veterans' services established in subsection (a) of section 14 of chapter 115A, with the approval of the governor, to serve for 5 years. The governor may remove a member for cause at any time during the member's term. The members shall vote to select a chair. The members shall serve without compensation, but shall receive their necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

  (b) The boards of trustees for each state-operated veterans' home shall represent the local community, residents and family members of residents of each home on the veterans' homes council established in section 41. Each member of the boards of trustees shall serve ex officio, as voting members, on the veterans' homes council.

  (c) The boards of trustees for each state-operated veterans' home shall each nominate 1 candidate for superintendent of their respective veterans' home for approval by the veterans' homes council, who shall then submit their final candidate to the secretary of veterans' services for consideration for appointment.

[ Subsection (d) effective until August 5, 2025. For text effective August 5, 2025, see below.]

  (d) The boards of trustees for each state-operated veterans' home shall hold and administer in trust the property included in the "legacy fund'' and the "effects accounts'', if the transfer thereof to the commonwealth is effected pursuant to a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and in accordance with the terms and conditions imposed by such decree.

[ Subsection (d) as amended by 2025, 14, Sec. 4 effective August 5, 2025. For text effective until August 5, 2025, see above.]

  (d) The boards of trustees for each state-operated veterans' home may receive donations to benefit the homes. The state treasurer shall receive, deposit and invest all donations made to the state-operated veterans' homes. The trustees may expend the donated funds for the direct benefit of the veterans who reside in the state-operated veterans' homes, acting as fiduciaries with the care, skill and diligence that a prudent person would use.

  (e) All members of the boards of trustees for each state-operated veterans' home shall complete annual training pursuant to paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of section 41.