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HD 51

An Act authorizing Stephen Justice 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 Barry Finegold and 1 co-sponsor

Bill exempts Stephen Justice from Haverhill firefighter exam age limits, bypassing standard civil service hiring criteria for one individual applicant.

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Bill Summary · HD 51

Legislative bill overview

This bill would grant Stephen Justice a special exemption allowing him to take the civil service examination for a firefighter position in Haverhill despite exceeding the maximum age requirement typically imposed on such applicants. The legislation is a private bill—one that applies to a specific named individual rather than the general public.

Why is this important

Civil service exams typically enforce age limits to ensure physical capability and career longevity in demanding roles like firefighting. Private bills that exempt individuals from these requirements raise questions about equal treatment under civil service rules and whether exceptions undermine the purpose of standardized hiring criteria. This also highlights tension between individual circumstances and institutional hiring standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Fairness and precedent: Granting one person an age exemption may prompt similar requests from other candidates and questions about why civil service rules should apply differently to different people
  • Age-related job requirements: Firefighting involves physical demands and safety risks; age limits exist partly to screen for medical fitness and job performance capacity
  • Process transparency: The bill provides no public information about Justice's qualifications, circumstances, or why this exemption is warranted, making it difficult for legislators and citizens to assess the request's merit

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

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