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H 2867

An Act to clarify civil service information-sharing

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jamie Eldridge and 2 co-sponsors

Clarifies that civil service staff may not disclose or cooperate with law enforcement if doing so would violate Chapter 12, Sec. 11I½ protections, reinforcing privacy.

Accompanied a study order, see H5312 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 2867

Summary: H 2867 – An Act to clarify civil service information-sharing

Overview

H 2867, introduced February 27, 2025, is a Massachusetts bill titled “An Act to clarify civil service information-sharing.” The measure adds a clarifying provision to ensure civil service employees’ information-sharing with law enforcement cannot contravene existing protections in Chapter 12, Section 11I½. The bill is currently pending in committee, with a hearing scheduled for September 17, 2025.

Purpose and intent

  • To clarify the limits on sharing civil service information with law enforcement.
  • To ensure that requests or compelled disclosures by civil service employees do not violate the privacy and protection provisions established in Chapter 12, Section 11I½.

Key provisions

  • The bill inserts at the end of Section 75 of Chapter 31 (as amended by Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024) the following sentence:
    • “Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit civil service employees to furnish information to, or cooperate with, law enforcement authorities in contravention of Section 11I½ of Chapter 12.”
  • In effect, civil service employees are protected from compelled disclosure or collaboration with law enforcement if such action would violate the protections found in Chapter 12, Section 11I½.

Who/what is affected

  • Civil service employees covered by Chapter 31 (and related civil service provisions) are directly affected, as the bill clarifies limits on sharing information with law enforcement.
  • State and municipal agencies and departments employing civil service personnel may need to align information-sharing practices with this clarified restriction.
  • Law enforcement agencies seeking information from civil service employees must comply with existing protections to avoid contravening Section 11I½.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the Committee on Public Service on February 27, 2025.
  • Senate concurrence noted in legislative actions.
  • Hearing updates:
    • Original hearing time listed as 01:00 PM–02:00 PM on the hearing date.
    • Hearing rescheduled to September 17, 2025, with updated start/end times to accommodate a longer session (and a virtual hearing option).
  • Related bill: HD 1572 (replaces).

Fiscal and administrative considerations

  • The bill text does not specify any direct fiscal impact.
  • Administrative implications include potential updates to civil service policies, training on permissible information-sharing, and compliance protocols to ensure adherence to Section 11I½.

Practical takeaway

This act provides a explicit statutory constraint ensuring civil service personnel cannot disclose or cooperate with law enforcement in a way that would violate privacy and protection provisions in Chapter 12, Section 11I½. It clarifies existing rights and helps prevent inadvertent or unlawful disclosures through civil service channels.

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

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