Included in the state’s new budget is a provision making gay and transgendered service members who were dishonorably discharged due to their then-taboo lifestyles eligible for state veteran’s benefits.

Signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday, the fiscal 2024 budget includes language from a bill offered by Westfield’s Sen. John Velis and Framingham Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis called “An Act promoting equality in veterans’ bonus eligibility” which seeks to make up for a policy the Department of Defense did away with in 2011.

“For far too long, thousands of courageous individuals have been told that they are not worthy of the same benefits that their comrades and counterparts earned. That their service, and their sacrifice is not worth the same. All because of who they are and who they love,” Velis said in a statement. “The years of trauma, abuse and harassment caused by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell cannot be undone. But we must do everything in our power to ensure that LGBTQ Veterans across the Commonwealth have the same access to benefits and services that other Veterans have.”

The U.S. Military, from 1994 until 2011, operated under a policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell” which prohibited the services from discriminating against someone who was secretly gay or transgendered while barring service for those who were open or outed. The policy, which resulted in the discharge of more than 14,000 servicemembers, was reversed under President Barack Obama

Veterans who were dishonorably discharged from service due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status, will now be eligible for bonuses from the Veterans’ Bonus Division in the Office of the Treasurer.

“This measure confronts discrimination and ensures that the service and sacrifice of all our veterans is rightfully recognized,” State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg said. “This is an important step toward achieving equity and fairness by making sure that service members receive the bonuses and benefits they deserve.”