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SD 600

An Act relative to the internal benefits of public safety telecommunicators

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

Public Safety Dispatchers/Telecommunicators gain parity with First Responders on internal benefits (health, leave, programs), while pay and pensions remain unchanged.

House concurred
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 600

Summary: An Act relative to the internal benefits of public safety telecommunicators (Senate Docket No. 600)

Overview

This proposed Massachusetts bill, introduced February 27, 2025 by Senator Michael F. Rush, seeks to ensure that Public Safety Dispatchers/Telecommunicators receive the same internal benefits as First Responders. It does not propose changes to compensation or pension benefits. The measure has progressed to a House concurrence, indicating movement toward final enactment subject to the Governor’s signature.

Key provisions

  • Section 1 — Definitions

    • Establishes the terms “Public Safety Dispatchers” and “Public Safety Telecommunicators” to mean individuals employed by a public safety agency whose primary duty is to receive, process, transmit, or dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls for law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other public safety functions, via telephone, radio, or other devices. It includes individuals who have promoted from this position and supervise others performing these functions.

  • Section 2 — Internal benefits parity

    • Provides that, notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, all Public Safety Dispatchers/Telecommunicators shall receive the same internal benefits as First Responders.

  • Section 3 — Compensation and pension unaffected

    • Explicitly states that no change shall be made to the telecommunicators’ compensation and pension benefits.

Who is affected

  • Public Safety Dispatchers/Telecommunicators (including supervisory personnel who perform or oversee the defined duties) across Massachusetts public safety agencies. The bill targets internal benefits programs administered by the Commonwealth and local agencies.

Legislative and procedural context

  • Filed: January 14, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 600)
  • Introduced in the Senate by: Senator Michael F. Rush
  • Status: House concurred (the House adopted the Senate version), with references to committee action by Public Safety and Homeland Security
  • Historical note: Similar matter previously filed as Senate No. 1586 in the 2023-2024 session

Potential impact and considerations

  • The bill aims to align internal benefits for telecommunicators with those provided to First Responders, potentially affecting health, leave, eligibility for certain programs, and other internal benefit policies.
  • It explicitly preserves current compensation and pension structures, limiting direct wage or retirement changes.
  • Enactment would require coordination across state and local agencies to adjust internal benefits policies accordingly; the exact nature of “internal benefits” is not further defined in the text, so implementing agencies would rely on existing internal benefit frameworks and their interpretation of parity with First Responders.

Next steps

  • If enacted into law, the Governor would need to sign the bill for it to take effect, subject to any likely implementation timelines and accompanying regulations.

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

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