An Act authorizing the town of Middleton to continue the employment of police officer Richard Kassiotis

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brad Jones and 2 co-sponsors

Extends Middleton police officer Richard Kassiotis’s service to age 67 (or until retirement/relief), with annual fitness exams and town-funded costs, no post-65 pay deductions.

Hearing scheduled for 07/14/2026 from 11:00 AM-04:00 PM in A-1

Summary of Bill H. 5513 (194th General Court, Massachusetts)

Purpose

Authorizes the town of Middleton to continue employing police officer Richard Kassiotis beyond the otherwise applicable age limit, subject to specific conditions. The bill permits service until age 67, retirement, or termination, whichever occurs first, effectively extending his law-enforcement tenure despite standard age restrictions.

Key provisions and changes

Age extension of service:

Richard Kassiotis may continue serving as Middleton police officer until:
He reaches age 67,
He retires, or
He is relieved of duties (whichever comes first).

Fitness requirements:

The town’s Select Board may require annual medical/physical and mental fitness examinations for Kassiotis, at the town’s expense, conducted by a physician designated by the Select Board.
These examinations determine ongoing capability to perform police duties.

Salary and retirement treatment:

No further deductions from Kassiotis’s regular compensation under Chapter 32 for service after age 65.
Upon retirement (superannuation), he would receive a retirement allowance equal to what he would have received if he had retired at age 65.

Effective date:

The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiary: Richard Kassiotis, a Middleton police officer, who would be permitted to continue working past the standard retirement age.

Municipal administration: Middleton’s Select Board would administer annual medical/fitness evaluations and manage the extension consistent with the bill.

Financial implications for the town: Local funding for annual medical evaluations; adjustments to pension/timing in line with the extended service and post-65 retirement treatment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative process:

Introduced as House Docket No. 6227 (H. 5513) filed June 11, 2026.
Referred to the Committee on Public Service on June 17, 2026.

Local approval:

The bill indicates “Local Approval Received,” suggesting prior local endorsement or authorization.

Effective date:

Prospective; the bill becomes law upon passage.

Notes and context

The bill uses “Notwithstanding any general or special law” language to override standard age-related employment limits for a single officer, subject to fitness and town funding conditions.

The provision aligns with similar local options that allow aging public safety personnel to serve longer if they remain physically and mentally capable and if the municipality funds ongoing medical reviews.

This summary reflects the bill’s text and stated intent to extend employment for a named officer with specified eligibility and oversight conditions.