Bill
S 1904
Reclassifies municipal veterans agents (including part-time) into Group 2 of Chapter 32, altering retirement benefits and contribution rules for veterans service officers.
Status & key dates
- Introduced (filed): 01/14/2025 (Senate Docket No. 570). Presented by Sen. Michael F. Rush.
- Senate bill number: S.1904 (introduced/acted on various dates in 2025).
- Legislative actions (selected): referred to Public Service (02/27/2025); House concurred (02/27/2025); read twice and referred to Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (05/22/2025); hearings scheduled/rescheduled for Sept. 22, 2025.
- Note: some publicly posted metadata for this bill (title, sponsor, committee referrals) is inconsistent. The bill text on file (Docket No. 570) addresses veterans service officers’ retirement classification; other labels associated with S.1904 (e.g., “permits animal‑drawn vehicles to equip and use amber flashing lights”) appear to be erroneous or belong to a different measure. Users should verify the current official text/status on the Massachusetts Legislature website.
Purpose / intent
- To change the retirement classification of veterans service officers (including part‑time veterans agents) under the Massachusetts public employee retirement statutes so they are included in “Group 2” for purposes of Chapter 32 retirement benefits.
Key provision (exact statutory change)
- Amends Section 3 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws by inserting, in Group 2, immediately after the words “employees of Cushing hospital,” the following language:
“Veterans agent or part time Veterans agent as defined by Section 1 MGL, Ch. 115”.
What this does / who is affected
- Affected persons: municipal veterans agents and part‑time veterans agents as defined in M.G.L. c.115, §1 (i.e., town or city officials who administer veterans’ services).
- Legal effect: places these veterans service officers into Group 2 under Chapter 32. Group membership under Chapter 32 determines retirement plan terms — e.g., eligibility ages, benefit formulas, contribution requirements, and other group‑specific retirement provisions. By reclassifying veterans agents into Group 2, those employees would receive retirement treatment applicable to Group 2 members rather than their prior classification.
- Practical impact: likely a narrow population (local veterans agents across the Commonwealth). Municipal employers may see changes in pension contribution obligations depending on actuarial effects of the reclassification. The bill does not itself specify appropriation or immediate fiscal figures.
Procedural / timeline notes and discrepancies
- The legislative record contains conflicting metadata (different committee referrals, sponsors listed, and a mismatched bill title). The authoritative source is the enrolled bill text and the Legislature’s official docket — users should consult the Massachusetts Legislature’s website or the bill’s page for the most up‑to‑date version, committee assignments, fiscal notes, and hearing outcomes.
- Related measures cited in available records: SD 570 (replaces), S.7016 (prior session), A.6797 (companion in the House).
Implications to monitor
- Fiscal/funding: potential changes to municipal retirement contributions and long‑term pension liabilities; check for an accompanying municipal/fiscal note.
- Implementation: if enacted, retirement administrators (PRIM/retirement boards) would need to update classifications and apply Group 2 rules to affected employees.
For verification and updates
- Check the Massachusetts Legislature bill page for S.1904 / Docket No. 570 and any committee reports, fiscal notes, or amended language before relying on final effect.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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