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Bill

S 1858

Expands protections regarding violations of safety conditions in adult care facilities

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 18 co-sponsors

Adds Trial Court staff (court service coordinators, housing specialists, psychologists, court reporters, interpreters) to Group 2 retirement, changing benefits and contributions.

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Bill Summary · S 1858

Summary — S.1858 (2025): "An Act relative to defining employees in Group 2"

Main purpose

S.1858 amends Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 32 (public employee retirement law), to explicitly classify certain Trial Court employees as members of “Group 2.” The change adds a list of job titles and a catch‑all phrase for Trial Court staff whose duties bring them into contact with criminal defendants or others required to appear in court.

Key provision (exact amendment)

The bill inserts, into chapter 32, section 3(g), after the word “hospital,” the following language:

  • “employees of the trial court of the Commonwealth who hold the position of court service coordinator, assistant court service coordinator, chief housing specialist, housing specialist, psychologist, court reporter, court interpreter, professional, clerical and other employees whose duty and responsibilities bring them in contact with criminal defendants and others whose court appearance is required.”

What the bill would change

  • It formally places the specified Trial Court job classifications into Group 2 of the Massachusetts public retirement system (Chapter 32). Group membership determines statutory retirement benefits, contribution rates, and eligibility rules under existing retirement law.
  • By adding these positions to section 3(g), the bill changes the statutory classification for those employees; it does not itself enumerate benefit formulas or dollar amounts but makes them subject to the rules that apply to Group 2 members.

Who would be affected

  • Directly affected: Trial Court employees holding the listed positions (court service coordinators; housing specialists; psychologists; court reporters; court interpreters; and similarly situated professional, clerical, and other staff who routinely interact with defendants or required court appearances).
  • Indirectly affected: The Trial Court (Judicial Branch) as an employer, the Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC), and the state retirement system budgets — because Group classification can alter employer/employee contributions and long‑term pension liabilities.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Filed as Senate Docket No. 2102 and presented by Senator Paul R. Feeney (filed 1/17/2025).
  • Legislative actions (selected): Referred to committee (various committee referrals noted); printed as 1858A (5/13/2025); read twice and referred (5/22/2025); advanced to third reading (5/22/2025); committed to Rules (6/13/2025). A hearing was scheduled/rescheduled for October 6, 2025.
  • Related/companion measures and prior-session versions are listed in the docket.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Fiscal impact: Reclassifying employees into Group 2 can change pension costs (employer/employee contributions and actuarial liabilities). No fiscal note or cost estimate is included in the bill text provided; a PERAC or budgetary analysis would be required to quantify effects.
  • Administrative: PERAC and the Trial Court would need to implement classification changes (membership records, contribution accounting, communications to affected employees).
  • Scope and clarity: The bill names specific positions and uses a catch‑all phrase (“professional, clerical and other employees whose duty and responsibilities bring them in contact with criminal defendants”) — questions may arise about which additional job titles qualify in practice.

For a precise assessment of benefit changes and budgetary impact, consult Chapter 32 statutory definitions for Group 2 and any fiscal analyses prepared by the Legislature or PERAC.

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

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