![\"Stephen_Burrell\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Stephen_Burrell-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nMassachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed five new veterans-related bills into law yesterday, according to MassLive<\/a>;<\/p>\n The so-called Stolen Valor Act, sponsored by Velis, will make it illegal to impersonate a military member for financial gain.<\/p>\n State Rep. Aaron Vega, D-Holyoke, sponsored a law that will give Purple Heart recipients free access to Massachusetts state parks and recreation areas.<\/p>\n State Rep. Todd Smola, R-Warren, sponsored a law that will require anyone convicted of willfully damaging a war memorial or veteran’s gravestone or marker to pay restitution to the property owners.<\/p>\n The other new laws make it a crime to steal commemorative flag holders from veterans’ or first responders’ graves and to buy or sell stolen headstones or monuments from veterans’ or first responders’ graves.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n According to another MassLive link<\/a>, Massachusetts will have the toughest Stolen Valor law in the country;<\/p>\n Velis’ bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a year in prison or a $1,000 fine, to wear a military uniform, awards or decorations that one has not earned, to use fake military identification or to falsely claim to be a military member or veteran for purposes of financial gain. Financial gain can be anything from getting a home loan to buying a discounted movie ticket.<\/p>\n A federal Stolen Valor law and similar laws in other state make it illegal to falsely claim a military medal for financial gain. The Massachusetts law is unique because it would extend that to any claim of military service.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n