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SD 616

An Act directing the city of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police officer Cherell Mellace

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Rush

The bill waives Boston Police Department’s maximum age limit only for Cherell Mellace so she can be considered for original appointment if all other requirements are met.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 616

Summary: SD 616 — An Act directing the City of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police officer Cherell Mellace

Purpose and intent

  • This is a targeted local bill proposed by Senator Michael F. Rush concerning a single individual, Cherell Mellace, and the City of Boston Police Department (BPD).
  • The bill seeks to waive the BPD’s maximum age requirement for original appointment, allowing Mellace to be considered for original appointment as a police officer if all other BPD requirements are met.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Overrides applicable laws solely for Cherell Mellace.
    • “Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, including the provisions of Chapter 43 of the Acts of 2007,” the BPD shall waive the maximum age requirement for original appointment for Cherell Mellace.
    • If Mellace meets all other BPD requirements, Mellace shall be eligible for certification for original appointment as a police officer.
  • Section 2: Severability.
    • If any portion of the act is found unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions stay in effect.
  • Section 3: Effective date.
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Affected parties and scope

  • Directly affects Cherell Mellace and the Boston Police Department.
  • Does not propose a general policy change; the waiver applies only to Mellace.
  • References existing law on age limits for police officers (e.g., Chapter 43 of the Acts of 2007) and explicitly exempts Mellace from those limits.

Procedural and timeline context

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Senate Docket: SD 616 (filed 1/14/2025).
  • Legislative actions: Referred to the Senate Committee on Public Service on February 27, 2025; status notes indicate “Public Service” referral and local approval context.
  • Status indication: House concurred (as of the reported date), suggesting cross-chamber agreement on the bill’s form, with the local approval process noted in the bill’s history.
  • Local approval context: The bill’s petition process mentions the approval of the mayor and city council as part of its backstory; the act itself provides that it would take effect upon passage.

Potential impact and considerations

  • The bill creates a targeted exception to the state’s age rules for a single applicant, rather than altering the BPD’s general recruitment policies.
  • It may raise questions about consistency of application of age requirements across the force, though the text makes clear it is not a general policy change.
  • If enacted, Mellace could advance in the BPD original appointment process provided she meets all other eligibility criteria. The act would become law upon passage.

Note: The bill draws on a previously filed similar matter (Senate No. 2952 of 2023-2024) and is categorized as a proposed local bill with the stated local approval pathway.

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

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