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HD 471

An Act relative to retirement benefits for county correctional nurses

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Ultrino

Bill extends hazardous-duty retirement benefits to county correctional nurses, improving their pension eligibility to match other corrections staff.

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Bill Summary · HD 471

Legislative bill overview

HD 471 would extend retirement benefits eligibility to county correctional nurses in Massachusetts, aligning their pension treatment with other correctional staff. The bill modifies state retirement law to recognize the hazardous duty status of nursing work in correctional facilities, allowing these employees to access enhanced retirement provisions previously available only to other corrections officers.

Why is this important

County correctional nurses perform dangerous work in high-stress environments with exposure to infectious diseases, violence, and occupational hazards comparable to other correctional staff. Currently, they may receive less favorable retirement benefits despite comparable risk, creating potential equity issues in compensation for similarly dangerous work and potentially affecting recruitment and retention of qualified nursing professionals in correctional settings.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Extending enhanced retirement benefits increases state and county pension liabilities; opponents may argue this creates unfunded obligations that strain local budgets
  • Benefit equity debates: Questions about whether nursing duties in corrections truly warrant hazardous-duty classification compared to security personnel, or whether this sets precedent for expanding similar claims
  • Implementation scope: Unclear whether benefits apply retroactively to current employees, affecting cost calculations, or only to future hires, which affects recruitment value

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

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