Bill
S 1761
Extends equal internal benefits for MA public safety dispatchers to match First Responders, while preserving pay and pensions.
Status (as provided)
- Introduced in the Massachusetts Senate by Michael F. Rush (Norfolk and Suffolk) and filed 01/14/2025 as Senate No. 1761.
- Referred to relevant committees (Public Safety & Homeland Security; later readings indicate referral to Finance).
- Hearing scheduled 09/10/2025 (per provided actions).
- Note: the bill text below was authored by Senator Michael F. Rush. Some metadata supplied with the request (alternate title, additional sponsors, committee referrals) conflicts with the bill text; this summary is based on the bill text itself.
Purpose
- To ensure that public safety dispatchers / public safety telecommunicators receive the same “internal benefits” afforded to First Responders, while preserving their existing compensation and pension arrangements.
Key provisions
- Definitions (Section 1)
- “Public Safety Dispatchers” or “Public Safety Telecommunicators” are defined broadly to include individuals employed by a public safety agency whose primary responsibility is to receive, process, transmit, or dispatch emergency and non‑emergency calls (for law enforcement, fire, emergency medical, and other public safety services) by telephone, radio, or other communications device. The definition also explicitly includes individuals promoted from that position who supervise others performing these functions.
- Equalization of internal benefits (Section 2)
- “Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary,” all public safety dispatchers/telecommunicators shall receive the same internal benefits as First Responders.
- Compensation and pensions preserved (Section 3)
- The act specifies that no changes shall be made to telecommunicators’ compensation and pension benefits as a result of this law.
Who would be affected
- Primary: public safety dispatchers / telecommunicators employed by municipal, regional, or state public safety agencies in Massachusetts (including front-line dispatchers and those promoted to supervisory roles).
- Secondary: public safety agencies and human resources/payroll systems that administer employee benefits, and unions or employee associations representing dispatch personnel.
Implementation and timing
- The bill text does not specify an effective date or implementation timeline.
- Practical implementation would require agencies to identify which “internal benefits” for First Responders are intended to be extended and to modify benefit administration accordingly; no funding or appropriation language is included.
Potential impacts and open questions
- Positive: could improve parity between dispatch personnel and other first responders for non‑monetary benefits (e.g., access to certain internal supports, leave policies, or programs).
- Unclear: the statute does not define “internal benefits,” making the scope ambiguous (e.g., whether it covers access to counseling, wellness programs, internal awards, special leave, critical incident support, tuition/education benefits, or others).
- No change to pay/pensions: the bill explicitly preserves existing compensation and pension structures.
- Administrative and fiscal impacts will depend on how “internal benefits” are interpreted and whether extending them requires additional agency resources.
Related items
- The bill text references prior similar filings in earlier sessions. The provided metadata lists related/companion measures, but those entries are inconsistent with the text sponsor information; confirm current sponsor and companion bill status with official legislative records before relying on them for tracking.
If you want, I can:
- Draft a short memo identifying likely “internal benefits” that agencies typically reserve for First Responders (to clarify implementation), or
- Prepare suggested amendments to define “internal benefits” or add an effective date/funding mechanism.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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