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S 1742

Increases the penalty of knowingly violating the provisions relating to the appropriate shelter for dogs from a violation to a misdemeanor

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Helming and 1 co-sponsor

Centralizes and expands state control over technical rescue by creating a Division of Special Operations under the State Fire Marshal, with regional coordination, standardized plan

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Bill Summary · S 1742

Bill Summary — S.1742 (Massachusetts, 194th General Court, 2025–2026)

Title in text: "An Act relative to technical rescue services"

Note: The bill text provided concerns technical rescue services (Chapter 22D and Chapter 29 amendments) and does not match the short title in the initial metadata about animal shelter penalties. This summary is based on the bill text as filed (Senate Docket No. 396 / Senate No. 1742, filed 1/13/2025).

Purpose

To centralize, standardize and expand the Commonwealth’s authority and organization over technical rescue resources and operations by strengthening the State Fire Marshal’s role, creating a Technical Rescue Coordinating Council, clarifying operational command during responses, and providing reimbursement and stipends to participating municipalities and qualified team members.

Key provisions

  • Reorganizes Chapter 22D to create a Division of Special Operations under a Director of Special Operations. That division will include:
    • Hazardous Materials emergency response teams, and
    • Technical Rescue emergency response teams.
  • Grants the State Fire Marshal authority to:
    • Divide the Commonwealth into technical rescue regions and amend the number as needed;
    • Provide for organization, coordination, training, equipment acquisition, and fund distribution for technical rescue services.
  • Establishes a Technical Rescue Coordinating Council as an advisory body to the State Fire Marshal with membership as follows:
    • Secretary of Public Safety (or designee), State Fire Marshal (or designee), and five gubernatorial appointees (2 from the Fire Chief’s Association, 2 from Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, and 1 selected from nominees provided by technical rescue regions).
    • Members serve 3-year terms; council elects a chair and vice-chair biennially; members are reimbursed for expenses but not compensated.
  • Clarifies duties: the council advises the State Fire Marshal on standards, rules, procedures, regulations, and cost recovery for technical rescue.
  • Requires the Department (through Division of Special Operations) to prepare and periodically update a technical rescue response plan.
  • Authorizes dispatch of member departments under the technical rescue response plan at the request of local departments or on the department’s own authority.
  • Defines on-scene command: during a technical rescue, the designated team leader has complete operational authority over technical rescue operations until imminent danger is mitigated; thereafter the team leader notifies the incident commander, who then has site authority.
  • Affirms legal status: actions taken by member departments under the response plan are deemed taken on behalf of the Department and for the benefit of the Commonwealth.
  • Fiscal supports:
    • Commonwealth, subject to appropriation, shall reimburse municipalities for costs incurred for technical rescue responses by qualified members, and
    • Shall pay an annual stipend up to $5,000 to each qualified member of a technical rescue team (qualification set by State Fire Marshal).
  • Amends Chapter 29, Section 2DDDDD (procurement/expenditure language) to broaden contracting language (“for services or otherwise”) and to allow expenditures by the State Fire Marshal — (text truncated in provided copy).

Who is affected

  • Municipal fire departments and regional technical rescue teams in Massachusetts.
  • Individual firefighters/technical rescue team members (eligibility for stipends).
  • State Fire Marshal’s Office and Department of Fire Services (expanded authority and administrative duties).
  • Municipal budgets could be impacted through eligible reimbursements; Commonwealth appropriations required for stipends and reimbursements.

Procedural status (as reported)

  • Filed: 1/13/2025 (Senate Docket No. 396 / Senate No. 1742).
  • Referred to committee(s): records show referrals to Agriculture and to Public Safety and Homeland Security; other listed actions (Health, Education, Labor & Pensions) appear inconsistent with the MA state bill record.
  • Hearing scheduled (per provided actions): 06/11/2025, 1:00–5:00 PM (A-2).
  • The bill text indicates further amendments to related procurement/payment statutes (Chapter 29); some provided text is truncated.

Fiscal and implementation notes

  • Reimbursement and stipend provisions are explicitly subject to appropriation; actual fiscal impact depends on subsequent budget actions and qualification criteria set by the State Fire Marshal.
  • The bill centralizes operational and regulatory authority in the State Fire Marshal, which could lead to standardized training/equipment but may require administrative capacity and funding.

Important caveat

There are inconsistencies in the metadata (title and sponsors) and committee actions supplied with the bill text. For official status, exact wording, and amendments, consult the Massachusetts Legislature’s official bill page or the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

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

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