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H 4632

An Act authorizing the town of Billerica to establish an age limit for original appointment to the position of police officer

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cindy Friedman and 1 co-sponsor

Allows Billerica to set an upper age limit for original police officer appointments, with a veterans’ credit to exceed the limit under caps.

Read third, amended and passed to be engrossed
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4632

Summary of H 4632: An Act authorizing the town of Billerica to establish an age limit for original appointment to the position of police officer

Overview

House Bill 4632 would authorize the town of Billerica to establish a local age limit for original appointment to the police officer position, overriding general state law where applicable. The bill is a local-approval measure filed in October 2025 and has progressed through the Senate with a scheduled hearing in November 2025.

Purpose and intent

  • Authorize Billerica to set an upper age limit for applicants seeking original appointment as a police officer in the town.
  • Provide a veterans’ credit mechanism allowing eligible applicants to exceed the age limit by active military service, within defined caps.

Key provisions

  • Age limit: No person may be eligible to have their name certified for original appointment if they have reached their 40th birthday on the date of the entrance examination.
  • Veterans’ credit: A veteran may exceed the maximum age by the number of years served on active military duty, but:
    • The credit cannot exceed 4 years of active duty.
    • The maximum permissible age for veterans is 43 years and 364 days from birth, when military service is counted.
  • Legal override: The provision explicitly states “Notwithstanding section 58A of chapter 31 of the General Laws or any other special law to the contrary,” indicating local control is being established notwithstanding existing rules.
  • Effective date: The act would take effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • The town of Billerica, as the implementing locality.
  • Applicants for the position of police officer in Billerica, including veterans who may qualify for the step- or credit-based extension.
  • Local police hiring processes or civil service procedures in Billerica would operate under this authorizing act.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: October 20, 2025
  • Referred to: Public Service (October 20, 2025)
  • Status: Senate concurred (October 23, 2025)
  • Hearing: Scheduled for November 20, 2025 (5:00 PM), in Written Testimony Only
  • Related actions: House Docket No. 5244; companion text filed to authorize local age limits; Local approval received.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Recruitment impact: Establishing a 40-year age cap may affect the size and demographics of applicant pools in Billerica; veterans’ credits help mitigate the impact for eligible service members.
  • Legal and equity considerations: The explicit override of general law directs that local control will govern Billerica’s police officer appointment process, pending passage. Authorities and applicants may monitor for any conflicts with state civil service rules or equal employment protections.
  • Operational impact: If enacted, Billerica would implement its own age-eligibility criteria for original appointment, which could influence hiring timelines and certification processes.

Next steps for readers

  • Watch for the Nov. 20, 2025 hearing (Written Testimony Only) for public input.
  • If passed, the act would take effect upon enactment and apply to future original appointments in Billerica.

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

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