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H 2928

An Act relative to the retirement benefits of certain employees of the Department of Children and Families

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 2 co-sponsors

Extends Chapter 32 retirement benefits to DCF staff in Social Worker A-D, Special Investigator, Case Reviewer, Human Service Assistant/Coordinator with 10+ years of service.

Accompanied a study order, see H5356 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 2928

Summary: H.2928 — An Act relative to the retirement benefits of certain employees of the Department of Children and Families

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to extend the Commonwealth’s retirement benefits under Chapter 32 to a defined group of Department of Children and Families (DCF) employees. Specifically, it adds certain DCF staff to the eligibility provisions for retirement benefits, recognizing long-serving personnel in these roles.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 3 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition).
  • Insertion location: After the word “prisoners;” in line 275.
  • New eligible positions and criteria:
    • Social Worker A/B, C, or D
    • Special Investigator A/B
    • Case Reviewer
    • Human Service Assistant
    • Human Service Coordinator (or equivalent or successive titles at DCF)
    • Eligibility: employees in the listed positions who have been employed in such capacities for 10 years or more
  • This change extends eligibility for retirement benefits to these DCF employees who meet the 10-year service threshold.

Affected parties

  • Primary: Employees of the Department of Children and Families holding any of the specified titles (social worker levels A–D, special investigator A/B, case reviewer, human service assistant, human service coordinator or equivalent/successive titles) who have 10 or more years of service in these capacities.
  • Indirect: The DCF and the state pension system (Chapter 32), given that retirement benefits are part of the Commonwealth’s retirement framework.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Legislative action: Referred to the Joint Committee on Public Service (02/27/2025).
  • Senate action: Indicates “Senate concurred” on 02/27/2025 (note: a cross-chamber concurrence is reflected in the provided material).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for October 15, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in hearing room B-1.
  • Status: Hearing scheduled; House docket number 2928 (House No. 2928).

Related information

  • Related bill: HD 1582 (noted as a related or replacing measure).
  • The bill text is a targeted amendment to broaden retirement eligibility rather than a broad funding or structural pension reform.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Fiscal impact: The bill does not include an explicit funding or cost estimate within the provided text. Expanding retirement benefits could increase long-term pension liabilities; a formal fiscal analysis would be needed to quantify costs.
  • Policy effect: Aligns eligibility for retirement benefits with long-tenured DCF personnel in frontline roles, potentially improving retention and recognizing service.
  • Implementation: If enacted, the Department of Senate must integrate the change into the pension administration and ensure appropriate grandfathering/applicability for qualifying staff.

How to follow

  • Interested parties can attend the hearing on October 15, 2025, or monitor updates from the Joint Committee on Public Service for amendments, fiscal notes, and final disposition.

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

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