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Bill

HD 1172

An Act relative to the disability retirement of David Patterson, a police officer in the of Commonwealth of Massachusetts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jeff Roy

Massachusetts special act grants disability retirement benefits to police officer David Patterson through individual legislation rather than standard administrative process.

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Bill Summary · HD 1172

Legislative bill overview

HD 1172 is a special act establishing disability retirement benefits for David Patterson, a police officer in Massachusetts. This is a private/special bill rather than general legislation, meaning it applies only to this individual rather than creating broader policy affecting all similarly situated officers.

Why is this important

Disability retirement for police officers has real financial consequences, as it typically provides ongoing pension benefits and healthcare coverage. Such bills represent a commitment of public funds to an individual officer and set precedent for how similar claims are evaluated and approved.

Potential points of contention

  • Individual vs. systemic approach: Special bills bypass the standard disability retirement process that applies to all officers, raising questions about why this officer's case warrants individual legislative action rather than administrative review
  • Precedent and equity: Other officers with similar circumstances may question why their cases weren't granted equivalent legislative attention and benefits
  • Lack of public transparency: The bill text provides no details about Patterson's circumstances, injury, or why standard disability procedures were insufficient, making public scrutiny difficult

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

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