An Act directing the city of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police officers for Alex J. Rodriguez

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Worrell

Directs Boston PD to waive the maximum age for Alex J. Rodriguez's original police appointment, contingent on meeting all other BPD requirements and certification eligibility.

Read second and ordered to a third reading

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to authorize the City of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for the original appointment of a police officer for a specific individual, Alex J. Rodriguez.

If Rodriguez meets all other requirements set by the Boston Police Department, he would be eligible for certification for original appointment as a police officer in the City of Boston.

The act is targeted and would apply specifically to Rodriguez, rather than creating a general exemption for a class of individuals.

Key provisions

Section 1: Notwithstanding any general or special law, including Chapter 43 of the Acts of 2007, the Boston Police Department shall waive the maximum age requirement for original appointment for Alex J. Rodriguez. If Rodriguez meets all other BPD requirements, his name may be certified for original appointment to the position of police officer.

Section 2: The act takes effect upon passage.

The bill focuses solely on waiving the age restriction for this individual, contingent on his compliance with all other qualifications.

Who would be affected

Alex J. Rodriguez: The bill directly affects his eligibility by waiving the maximum age requirement for original appointment, assuming he meets all other BPD criteria.

City of Boston Police Department (BPD): Directed to apply the waiver and to determine Rodriguez’s eligibility for certification for appointment if he satisfies other requirements.

City of Boston and local government stakeholders: As the mechanism involves local approval and cooperation (the bill notes approval from the mayor and city council), these entities would coordinate to implement the waiver if enacted.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: August 7, 2025.

Legislative action: Referred to the Committee on Public Service (House).

Senate action: Senate concurrence completed on August 11, 2025.

Hearing schedule: Initially set for September 10, 2025; hearing times/norms have been updated (e.g., rescheduled to 09/10/2025 from 01:00 PM–01:30 PM in A-1, with a virtual hearing noted; later entries show a broader 1:00 PM–4:00 PM window in A-1).

Status: Hearing rescheduled to 09/10/2025; public hearing to be held both in-person (A-1) and virtually; updated end times noted.

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Related bill: HD 4977 (the same measure is identified as HD 4977, which “replaces” the prior filing).

Additional notes

This is a special or local act aimed at one individual rather than a broad statutory change.

The text emphasizes compliance with all other BPD requirements; the waiver does not remove other credential or process requirements for appointment.

This summary captures the bill’s core purpose, the main legal change proposed, who is affected, and the current procedural timeline and status.

Bill