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SD 563

An Act relative to the diverse recruitment and reform of the Massachusetts State Police

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Rush

Creates a point-based education incentive for Massachusetts State Police: up to 25% raise for 60/120/150 points, retroactive credits, to boost diverse recruitment via cadets.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 563

Summary of Senate Bill SD 563 — An Act relative to the diverse recruitment and reform of the Massachusetts State Police

Overview

SD 563, introduced February 27, 2025 by Senator Michael F. Rush, seeks to establish a career incentive pay program for regular full-time Massachusetts State Police personnel. The core goal is to incentivize further education and to support diverse recruitment, including through outreach and programs such as cadets. The bill adds a new incentive framework to the General Laws and aims to augment officer education while promoting broader diversity in recruitment.

Key provisions

  • New program creation: Adds a new career incentive pay program within Section 22C (as amended) to encourage ongoing education and diverse recruitment for the State Police. The program is designed to operate through future recruitment and the cadet program.
  • Eligibility for incentives:
    • Eligible entrants are regular full-time Massachusetts State Police officers (current officers not already receiving other incentive-based educational pay remain subject to different rules).
    • Eligible graduates must come from:
    • Accredited degree programs offered by an institution of higher learning (to promote diverse educational backgrounds), or
    • Accredited law schools and those who have passed the Massachusetts bar examination.
  • Points-based credentialing: Officers earn points toward the incentive by pursuing higher education, as follows:
    • 1 point per semester hour credit toward an associate or bachelor’s degree;
    • 60 points for an associate degree;
    • 120 points for a bachelor’s degree;
    • 150 points for a master’s degree or a law degree.
    • Credits and degrees must be earned at accredited institutions and counted toward the program regardless of the officer’s date of appointment.
  • Base salary increases by point thresholds:
    • 60 points → 10% base salary increase;
    • 120 points → 20% base salary increase;
    • 150 points → 25% base salary increase.
  • Exclusions: The incentive program does not apply to officers who are already receiving career incentive pay for educational degrees under any other program or law.
  • Retroactivity and program scope: The section specifies that credits and degrees earned “shall be credited” for the purpose of determining points, with no restriction tied to appointment date, effectively allowing retroactive or ongoing credit under the new framework.
  • Cadet/recruitment focus: The program is intended to support recruiting diverse candidates and to assist through the cadet program, aligning with broader diversity and reform goals.

Affected entities

  • Regular full-time Massachusetts State Police personnel (current and future officers under the program).
  • Prospective recruits and cadet program participants seeking to benefit from enhanced salary incentives tied to education.
  • Accredited higher education institutions and accredited law schools serving as eligible sources of degrees for eligibility and points.
  • Massachusetts Bar (for law degree graduates) as a qualification gate for eligibility.

Implementation and legislative timeline

  • Filed: January 14, 2025; Senate Docket No. 563.
  • Presented by: Senator Michael F. Rush.
  • Legislative history: Referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on February 27, 2025; the bill’s status is listed as House concurred.
  • Similar matter referenced: Senate Bill No. 1584 from the 2023-2024 session (indicating ongoing interest in reform and diversity efforts within the State Police).

Notes

  • The bill defines a structured, quantifiable path to higher pay tied to education, with explicit point thresholds and percentage increases.
  • By conditioning eligibility on degrees from accredited programs and bar passage for law graduates, the bill aims to ensure recognized standards and to promote diverse educational backgrounds among new and current officers.

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

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