WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SD 2095

An Act relative to employees of the Commonwealth who are required to respond to crime scenes

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Adds forensic scientists at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory to Group 2 of the Commonwealth's retirement system, expanding their eligibility and benefits.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 2095

Summary: An Act relative to employees of the Commonwealth who are required to respond to crime scenes (Senate Docket No. 2095)

Overview

  • Bill number & title: SD 2095 — An Act relative to employees of the Commonwealth who are required to respond to crime scenes.
  • Purpose: To ensure forensic scientists employed at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory are included in Group 2 of the Commonwealth’s contributory retirement system for public employees (Public Service).
  • Sponsor: Paul R. Feeney (Bristol and Norfolk).
  • Status: House concurred. The bill is part of the 2025-2026 legislative session (One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court).

Key Provisions

  • Main change: Amend Section 3 of Chapter 32, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, by adding to Subsection (g) the following:
    “Forensic Scientists employed at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory.”
  • Placement in statute: The amendment inserts the new category immediately after the words “head guard and chief of waterfront police,” thereby expanding Group 2 eligibility to MSP Crime Laboratory forensic scientists.

What Changes (Impact)

  • Retirement eligibility: Forensic scientists working at the MSP Crime Laboratory would be included in Group 2 of the Massachusetts public employee retirement system. This affects the eligibility criteria, contribution requirements, and potential benefits applicable to those employees as part of Group 2.
  • Scope: The change explicitly covers forensic scientists employed by the MSP Crime Laboratory, aligning their retirement treatment with other Group 2 public safety/public service personnel cited in the statute.

Who is Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Forensic Scientists employed at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory.
  • Broader context: These employees would move into Group 2 of the state’s contributory retirement system, affecting retirement benefits, vesting, and related financial terms for those personnel.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Filed: January 17, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 2095; Senate No. 1853).
  • Introduced in 2025 session: One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court (2025-2026).
  • Legislative actions:
    • Referred to the Committee on Public Service (2025-02-27).
    • House concurred (2025-02-27).
  • Previous related measure: Similar matter previously filed in the 2023-2024 session (Senate No. 1669).

Notes

  • The bill text provided does not specify any associated costs or fiscal impact beyond the retirement system implications.
  • If enacted, the statutory amendment would become part of Chapter 32 of the General Laws, Section 3(g), altering the composition of Group 2 members for retirement purposes.

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

Sign in to ask a question.