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Bill

S 1853

Provides a tax deduction for fertility preservation services

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Hinchey

Moves Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory forensic scientists into Group 2 retirement, changing their pension benefits and contribution rules.

REFERRED TO BUDGET AND REVENUE
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Bill Summary · S 1853

Summary — S.1853 (2025): "An Act relative to employees of the Commonwealth who are required to respond to crime scenes"

Main purpose

The bill adds forensic scientists employed at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory to the list of positions classified in Group 2 of the Commonwealth’s contributory retirement system (Chapter 32). In short: it would change the pension classification for those forensic scientists.

Note: The package of information provided with the request contains inconsistent metadata (a different short title about a tax deduction for fertility preservation and federal sponsors). This summary is based on the bill text filed as Senate No. 1853 (docket no. 2095), which clearly amends Chapter 32 to add forensic scientists to Group 2.

Key provision(s)

  • Amends Section 3 of Chapter 32 (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition), subsection (g).
  • Inserts the following position into the enumerated list in subsection (g): “Forensic Scientists employed at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory.”
  • Placement in subsection (g) means those positions would be classified as Group 2 members of the Massachusetts public employee contributory retirement system.

What this would change / who is affected

  • Directly affected: forensic scientists working for the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory.
  • Effect: those employees would become members of Group 2 for retirement purposes. Group classification determines eligibility ages, benefit formulas, service credit rules, and employee/employer contribution rates under Chapter 32. By moving into Group 2, affected employees would thereafter accrue and receive retirement benefits computed under the statutory rules that apply to Group 2 members.
  • Indirect effects: the State Retirement Board and the Commonwealth (as employer) would need to update membership records, payroll contribution coding, and actuarial calculations for these employees.

Potential fiscal and administrative impacts

  • Fiscal: reclassifying a group of employees can alter long-term pension liabilities and near‑term employer contribution obligations. The bill text contains no fiscal estimate; an actuarial review would be needed to quantify any increase or decrease in liabilities and annual required contributions.
  • Administrative: implementation requires coordination between the Massachusetts State Police, the State Retirement Board, payroll/HR systems, and possibly retroactive service-credit determinations if the effective date or treatment of prior service is specified later.

Legislative/procedural status (as filed)

  • Filed in the Senate as Senate No. 1853 (Docket No. 2095), presented by Senator Paul R. Feeney.
  • The bill text references similarity to a prior-session filing (Senate No. 1669, 2023–2024).
  • The docket shows referral and hearing activity (dates in the filing materials are inconsistent). A hearing was scheduled for 10/08/2025 per the provided actions. For current status, check the official Massachusetts legislative website.

Considerations for stakeholders

  • Forensic scientists and their unions or representatives: potential improvement (or clarification) of retirement benefits and rules.
  • Commonwealth budget/actuarial officers: need to evaluate cost implications.
  • State Retirement Board: implementation guidance and administrative changes.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a short fiscal-note request for an actuarial estimate, or
- Prepare a one-page memo comparing typical Group 2 retirement rules to the current classification for forensic scientists (if you provide the current group).

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

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