Bill
S 1845
Adds 911 emergency telecommunicators to the heart bill in Section 94 of Chapter 32, extending eligibility for presumption-based disability retirement benefits.
Status: Referred to Judiciary (committee activity ongoing)
Introduced / Filed: January 17, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 2035)
Primary Senate Sponsor (filed): Paul R. Feeney
Purpose
- To add 911 emergency telecommunicators to the list of public safety occupations covered by the Commonwealth’s existing “heart bill” provisions in Section 94 of Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The bill’s intent is to extend whatever statutory presumptions and benefits that Section 94 provides for certain public safety workers to include 911 emergency telecommunicators.
Key provision (exact textual change)
- Amends Section 94 of Chapter 32 by inserting the words: ", 911 emergency telecommunicators" immediately after the phrase "Massachusetts military reservation fire department." In short: the bill simply adds 911 emergency telecommunicators to the enumerated list in Section 94.
What Section 94 covers (context)
- Section 94 is part of the retirement/benefit provisions for Commonwealth employees. Laws commonly referred to as “heart bills” typically create a presumption that certain cardiovascular conditions or similar health events occurring to specified public safety personnel are work-related for purposes of disability retirement, workers’ compensation, or related benefits. This bill does not change benefit formulas or dollar amounts; it expands the class of workers eligible for the existing statutory presumption.
Who would be affected
- Primary: current and future 911 emergency telecommunicators employed by state or municipal employers covered by Chapter 32.
- Secondary: municipal and state retirement systems, employers (cities/towns/authorities), taxpayers (potential fiscal impact), and beneficiaries or survivors who may receive related benefits.
- Administrative: agencies administering retirement and disability benefits will have to apply the presumption to this added class.
Potential impacts
- Eligibility: Telecommunicators would gain eligibility to invoke the statutory presumption contained in Section 94 when seeking disability retirement or related benefits tied to covered heart conditions (subject to precise statutory language and administrative rules).
- Fiscal: Potential increase in claim approvals and retirement/disability expenditures; exact fiscal effects depend on actuarial analysis and claim volume.
- Practical: Likely reduces burden of proof for telecommunicators asserting covered medical conditions are job-related.
Legislative status and timeline (from provided record)
- Filed (Senate Docket): 01/17/2025.
- Hearing scheduled: 06/02/2025 (A‑2).
- Read and referred to committee(s): records show multiple committee referrals (Public Service; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Judiciary) and a favorable committee report with referral to Senate Ways & Means on 11/13/2025. (Note: the supplied procedural record contains inconsistent entries and may combine actions from different stages—consult official Senate records for the authoritative status.)
Notes and caveats
- The supplied metadata contains some inconsistencies (an initial title referencing sealed attorney records and sponsors that appear to be federal members). The bill text included here is the Massachusetts S.1845 filed by Senator Feeney concerning 911 emergency telecommunicators. For precise legal effect, consult the full text of Section 94, Chapter 32 and any fiscal notes or committee reports produced during consideration.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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