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Bill

HD 1122

An Act to provide pensions to surviving spouses of Department of Children and Families social workers killed in the line of duty

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Brady and 2 co-sponsors

Establishes pension survivor benefits for spouses of Massachusetts DCF social workers killed while performing job duties, extending safety-worker protections to child welfare staff.

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Bill Summary · HD 1122

Legislative bill overview

HD 1122 establishes a pension benefit for surviving spouses of Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) social workers who are killed while performing their official duties. The bill creates a new category of death benefit within the state's pension system, extending survivor protections to spouses of DCF workers comparable to those available to other public safety personnel.

Why is this important

DCF social workers face occupational hazards including encounters with individuals experiencing crisis, substance abuse, or violence, yet have historically lacked the same death-benefit protections afforded to police officers and firefighters. This bill acknowledges workplace danger and provides financial security for families of workers killed on duty, potentially improving recruitment and retention in a challenging profession with high turnover.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and precedent: Defining which state employees qualify for line-of-duty death benefits could create pressure to expand eligibility to other public servants (healthcare workers, mental health professionals), raising questions about where to draw boundaries and cost implications
  • Fiscal impact: The bill's cost depends on pension structure and survivor benefit amounts, which aren't detailed in the title; long-term actuarial costs may be significant and could strain state pension obligations
  • Definition of "line of duty": Determining what circumstances constitute a work-related death versus circumstances that happen to occur during work hours could generate disputes and administrative complexity

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

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