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Bill

H 2842

An Act providing equity and fairness to POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 74 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill establishes cardiac disease protections for disabled POST-certified police officers, ensuring equitable benefits and compensation treatment.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2842

Legislative bill overview

H.2842 establishes equity and fairness provisions for POST-certified police officers in Massachusetts who become disabled due to cardiac disease. The bill appears designed to ensure these officers receive comparable treatment, benefits, or compensation relative to officers disabled by other occupational causes. It was accompanied by a related bill (H.2841) and received a favorable committee recommendation.

Why is this important

Police officers face elevated cardiac disease risk due to job stress, irregular schedules, and physical demands. Without specific statutory protections, disabled officers may face inconsistent treatment across departments or benefit eligibility gaps. This bill addresses a public safety workforce issue by clarifying rights and protections for officers whose careers are ended by a recognized occupational hazard.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Expanded or equalized benefits/compensation for cardiac-disabled officers could increase municipal pension and insurance obligations, affecting local budgets
  • Definition and causation challenges: Determining whether cardiac disease is truly work-caused versus pre-existing or lifestyle-related raises medical and legal complexity
  • Scope of coverage: Disagreement may exist over which cardiac conditions qualify, whether family history matters, or if the provision applies only to active-duty incidents
  • Fairness to other disabled officers: Other occupational disability categories (orthopedic, psychological) may seek comparable equity provisions, potentially expanding costs

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

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