An Act authorizing the town of Natick to continue the employment of Deputy Police Chief Brian Lauzon

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David Linsky

Natick can extend Deputy Police Chief Brian Lauzon’s tenure beyond 65 up to 67 or retirement, with annual medical exams and adjusted compensation/retirement benefits.

Hearing rescheduled to 06/03/2026 from 11:00 AM-11:45 AM in B-2 Hearing updated to New End Time

Summary of Bill H. 5428 (194th Session, Massachusetts)

Purpose

To authorize the town of Natick to continue employing its Deputy Police Chief, Brian Lauzon, beyond the ordinarily applicable age limits until age 67, retirement, or other specified event, subject to meeting certain conditions and at the town’s expense.

Key Provisions

Eligibility to continue service: Brian Lauzon, Deputy Police Chief of Natick, may remain in his current position notwithstanding general or special age-related limits.

Duration of service: He may continue to serve until one of the following occurs:

Reaches age 67, or
Retires (superannuation), or
Is relieved of duties by the Town’s Select Board at their discretion.

Medical clearance requirement: The Select Board may require, at the town’s expense, annual medical examinations by a physician designated by the Select Board to determine ongoing physical and mental capability to perform duties.

Compensation and retirement treatment:

No further deductions shall be made from Lauzon’s regular compensation under Chapter 32 of the General Laws for service performed after reaching age 65.
Upon retirement for superannuation, Lauzon shall receive a retirement allowance equal to what he would have been entitled to if he had retired upon reaching age 65.

Affected Parties

Primary individual: Brian Lauzon, Deputy Police Chief of Natick (subject to the described age-extension provisions).

Local government body: Natick Select Board, which would oversee performance/medical evaluations and make discretionary personnel decisions.

Town employees/retirees under Chapter 32: Indirectly affected through the modification of age-based retirement and compensation treatment for Lauzon.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Action history: Referred to the Massachusetts House committee on Public Service on May 14, 2026.

Current status: Requires committee consideration; no final passage date specified in the provided text.

Effective date: The bill would take effect upon enactment as law; specific effective date not stated in the text.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

Allows Natick to retain experienced leadership in the Police Department beyond age 65, potentially preserving institutional knowledge and continuity.

Introduces ongoing annual medical evaluations to ensure fitness for duty, balancing continuity with public safety concerns.

Alters standard retirement and compensation rules for this deputy, ensuring no further deductions post-65 and providing retirement benefits as if retiring at 65.

Could raise broader questions about age-based employment policies and potential precedents for other local officials or employees.

Summary

H. 5428 authorizes Natick to extend Deputy Police Chief Brian Lauzon’s tenure beyond the typical age 65 limit, up to age 67 or until retirement/dispensation, contingent on maintaining fitness for duty via annual medical exams at town expense. It also adjusts his compensation and retirement benefits to align with continued service beyond 65, subject to Select Board oversight. The bill is currently in committee review.