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HD 720

An Act relative to creditable service for Eileen Mullen, a member of the Massachusetts Teachers’ retirement system

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tony Cabral and 2 co-sponsors

The bill credits Eileen Mullen with 2010–2013 GBRVT teaching service for MTRS retirement calculations, funded by ASF buyback before allowance becomes effective.

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Bill Summary · HD 720

Summary: Bill HD 720 — An Act relative to creditable service for Eileen Mullen

Purpose and intent

  • This bill directs the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board to grant creditable service to Eileen Mullen for a specified period of teaching service.
  • The service is from her tenure as a teacher in the pilot program for criminal justice at the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School (GBRVT) in New Bedford, dated August 2010 through June 2013.
  • The purpose is to be used to determine her superannuation retirement allowance under the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS).

Key provisions

  • Notwithstanding any other laws, the MTRS shall credit Eileen Mullen with creditable service for the 2010–2013 GBRVT pilot program teaching service.
  • The credit shall be used to determine her retirement allowance as described in section 5, paragraph (2), subsection (a) of Chapter 32.
  • Before any retirement allowance becomes effective, Mullen must pay into the Annuity Savings Fund (ASF) an amount equal to:
    • what would have been withheld as regular deductions from her compensation for that prior service, plus
    • buyback interest (as defined in Section 1 of Chapter 32).
  • This act shall not affect any other retirement benefits to which Mullen may be entitled.
  • The bill includes an emergency declaration, stating the act is an emergency law necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
  • The bill states it is not intended to change other aspects of Mullen’s retirement benefits beyond creditable service for the specified period.

Affected parties and entities

  • Primary beneficiary: Eileen Mullen, as a member of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System.
  • Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board (MTRB): Responsible for allocating creditable service and handling the buyback process and ASF payment.
  • Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School (GBRVT) and the pilot criminal justice program: The service period being credited originated from this program.
  • Other retirees or members are not affected beyond this specific credit request for Mullen.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative status: House Bill No. 720, with related petitions filed in the 194th General Court (2025–2026). The version provided originates from a joint petition by Rep. Sylvia and Sen. Montigny (House No. 2976).
  • Effective date: The act includes an emergency provision, indicating immediate applicability upon enactment.
  • Buyback timing: The required ASF payment (or installments) must be made before the retirement allowance becomes effective.

Financial considerations

  • Mullen must fund the credited service by paying into the ASF an amount equal to the would-be regular deductions for the 2010–2013 service, plus buyback interest.
  • The payment terms are determined by the MTRS, and the act does not alter other retirement benefits.

Note: The bill references a similar matter previously filed in 2023–2024 (House No. 3892).

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

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