Summary of Bill S 1845: An Act Relative to 911 Emergency Telecommunicators Inclusion in the HEART Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 1845 aims to amend the Massachusetts General Laws to include 911 emergency telecommunicators in the HEART (Health and Employment Accountability for Responders and Their Families) bill. This inclusion recognizes the critical role that 911 telecommunicators play in emergency response and seeks to extend certain benefits and protections to them, similar to those afforded to other first responders.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to Chapter 32: The bill proposes an amendment to Section 94 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws. Specifically, it seeks to insert the phrase "911 emergency telecommunicators" after "Massachusetts military reservation fire department" in line 17 of the existing law.
• Benefits and Protections: By including 911 telecommunicators in the HEART bill, the legislation aims to provide them with access to benefits such as health care and retirement options that are available to other emergency responders.

Affected Parties

• 911 Emergency Telecommunicators: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are the 911 emergency telecommunicators in Massachusetts, who are essential in managing emergency calls and coordinating responses.
• Emergency Response Community: The bill also indirectly affects the broader emergency response community by reinforcing the importance of all roles within the emergency response framework.

Legislative Process and Timeline

• Introduced: The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025, by Senator Paul R. Feeney, along with co-sponsors Steven George Xiarhos and Michael D. Brady.
• Committee Actions:
  • The bill was referred to the committee on Public Service on the same day it was introduced.
  • A hearing is scheduled for June 2, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room A-2.
  • On November 13, 2025, the bill was reported favorably by the committee and subsequently referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means.
• Related Legislation: This bill is a replacement for a similar matter filed in the previous session (Senate No. 1673 of 2023-2024).

Conclusion

Bill S 1845 represents a significant step toward recognizing and supporting the vital work of 911 emergency telecommunicators in Massachusetts. By including them in the HEART bill, the legislation aims to ensure that these professionals receive the same level of support and benefits as other first responders, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of emergency services in the state.