An Act directing the city of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police officers for Chris Glaropoulos

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Adrian Madaro

Waives Boston PD's maximum age for original police appointment for Chris Glaropoulos, if he meets all other BPD requirements; a one-off local exception, not a statewide change.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to authorize the City of Boston Police Department to waive the state’s maximum age requirement for original appointment as a police officer for a specific individual, Chris Glaropoulos.

If Glaropoulos meets all other requirements set forth by the Boston Police Department, he would be eligible for certification for original appointment as a police officer, despite the age limit that would normally apply.

Key provisions

Section 1: Notwithstanding any general or special law (including Chapter 43 of the Acts of 2007), the City of Boston Police Department shall waive the maximum age requirement for the original appointment of a police officer for Chris Glaropoulos. If Glaropoulos satisfies all other BPD requirements, his name may be certified for original appointment.

Section 2: Severability. If any portion of the act is found unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect.

Section 3: Effective date. The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiary: Chris Glaropoulos, who would be eligible for police officer appointment notwithstanding the usual age restriction if he meets all other BPD criteria.

City of Boston Police Department (and the City of Boston): Responsible for determining whether Glaropoulos meets “all other requirements” and for the certification/appointment process.

Broader implications: Creates a narrowly tailored exception to the general age rule for a single individual, rather than altering the statewide age standard for all applicants.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: May 5, 2025.

Referred to: Committee on Public Service (May 5, 2025).

Legislative action: Senate concurred on May 12, 2025.

Hearing status:

Initial update indicates a hearing rescheduled to September 10, 2025, with a time window originally listed as 1:00 PM–1:30 PM in A-1 and a virtual hearing with an updated end time.
Additional update indicates a hearing scheduled for September 10, 2025, from 1:00 PM–4:00 PM in A-1.

Related bill: HD 4617 (the House version or replacement, noted as replacing the current bill).

Effective date: Upon passage.

Potential impact and considerations

This is a narrowly targeted, one-off waiver rather than a general policy change to the age requirement for all Boston police applicants.

It relies on local (city) approval and the Boston Police Department’s determination that Glaropoulos meets all other job-related qualifications.

There is a severability clause, so if any provision is struck down, the rest would remain in effect.

Fiscal impact is not stated; the measure would not create new funding or staffing mandates by itself, but could affect the city’s personnel decisions for a single hire.

Related notes

Local approval received as part of the petition process.

References to “Chapter 43 of the Acts of 2007” indicate the bill explicitly overrides the usual age cap in this particular instance.

If you’d like, I can add a side-by-side comparison with the general MA police age requirements and explain how this bill would interact with existing law.

Bill