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HD 5175

An Act authorizing Sean Duffy to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill notwithstanding the maximum age requirement

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Andy Vargas

Allows Sean Duffy to bypass the firefighter age cap in Haverhill, making him eligible for certification and appointment if he meets all other hiring requirements.

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Bill Summary · HD 5175

Summary: HD 5175 — An Act authorizing Sean Duffy to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill notwithstanding the maximum age requirement

What the bill is trying to do

  • This is a local, special-act bill intended to grant an age exception to a specific individual. It would allow Sean Duffy of Haverhill to participate in the civil service process for the firefighter position in Haverhill even if he would normally be blocked by the maximum age requirement.
  • The bill would make Sean Duffy eligible for certification and appointment to the City of Haverhill’s fire department if he meets all other requirements.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule that governs the maximum age of applicants for firefighter appointments, Sean Duffy shall be eligible for appointment in Haverhill if he meets all other standards. If eligible, he would be eligible for certification and appointment to the city’s fire department.
  • Section 2: The act takes effect upon passage.

What would be affected

  • Individuals: Sean Duffy (as the named beneficiary of the age waiver).
  • City of Haverhill Fire Department: Potential candidate eligibility would be expanded for this specific individual, pending meeting all other requirements.
  • Civil service rules: The bill creates an explicit exception to the maximum-age rule for a single applicant, without changing statewide/campus-wide or general laws for others.

Local approvals and status context

  • The bill is filed as a local act (House Docket No. 5175; House No. 4573). It is associated with a petition by Rep. Andres X. Vargas (with mayor and city council approval) and is described as having local approval received.
  • Filed date appears as September 23, 2025, during the 194th General Court (2025-2026). The user-provided “Introduced: November 29, 2025” may reflect a separate filing or status update; the bill text itself indicates a September 23, 2025 filing.
  • Effective date: Upon passage.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Purpose-built exception: The bill provides a one-off carve-out for Sean Duffy, not a general change to age limits affecting other applicants.
  • Precedent and equity concerns: As a single-individual exemption, questions may arise about consistency and equal application of age rules for firefighter recruitment.
  • Local vs. statewide impact: If enacted, the effect is limited to Haverhill’s firefighter hiring process and does not alter state-wide civil service age requirements.
  • Administrative considerations: If passed, the city would proceed with Sean Duffy’s eligibility for certification and appointment contingent on meeting all other standard requirements.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to how similar local acts have been structured in Massachusetts or provide a short Q&A on potential policy considerations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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