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S 1902

Relates to exempting homeowners from tax increases for certain renewable energy systems

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom O'Mara

Includes public emergency medical technicians in GL c.32, §100 line-of-duty death protections, ensuring EMT survivors receive the same benefits as other first responders.

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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Bill Summary · S 1902

Summary — S.1902 (2025)

Title (metadata conflict): Relates to exempting homeowners from tax increases for certain renewable energy systems
Bill text / primary subject: An Act relative to surviving family members of public emergency medical technicians

Note: The supplied bill metadata contains conflicting titles and sponsor information that appear unrelated to the bill text. This summary focuses on the bill text (Senate Docket No. 568 / Senate No. 1902), which amends Massachusetts General Laws chapter 32, section 100 to add public emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to certain line‑of‑duty death/injury protections.

Purpose and intent

To extend statutory protections currently available to firefighters, police officers, and corrections officers under G.L. c.32, §100 to include public emergency medical technicians. The bill ensures surviving family members of public EMTs who die (or sustain fatal injuries) under specified on‑duty circumstances are treated the same as surviving families of other covered public safety employees.

Key provisions

  • Inserts language into G.L. c.32, §100 specifying that coverage applies when a public emergency medical technician, while performing duties, is killed or sustains fatal injuries:
    • as the result of an assault on the EMT’s person; or
    • as the result of an accident while responding to or returning from any emergency; or
    • as the result of an accident involving an EMS department vehicle which the EMT is operating or in which the EMT is riding; or
    • while at the scene of any emergency.
  • Repeatedly amends §100 by adding “public emergency medical technician” alongside “firefighter, police officer, corrections officer” at multiple places in the statute so that EMTs are included in all relevant definitions, entitlements, and references in that section.
  • Effective date: the act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Directly: public emergency medical technicians (EMTs) employed by municipal or other public employers in Massachusetts, and their surviving spouses, children, or other beneficiaries who may claim benefits under §100 when an EMT’s death is line‑of‑duty as defined by the bill.
  • Indirectly: municipalities, public employer retirement systems, and the Commonwealth, which may experience changes in benefit payments or obligations as a result of expanded eligibility.

Potential impact

  • Legal/equity: Aligns EMTs with other first‑responder categories in statute so their survivors receive the same statutory protections for qualifying line‑of‑duty deaths.
  • Fiscal: Likely to increase benefit obligations under §100 for municipalities and state public pension/benefit programs; no fiscal amounts are specified in the bill.
  • Workforce: May improve recruitment/retention morale among public EMTs by clarifying survivor protections.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Filed as Senate Docket No. 568 / Senate No. 1902 (filed 01/14/2025). The version text indicates presentation by Sen. Michael F. Rush.
  • The supplied legislative actions list contains inconsistent and out‑of‑order entries (committee referrals, hearings, and sponsor names that appear to come from different sources). According to the provided information, the bill was referred to Local Government (01/14/2025) and shows other committee activity and hearings; the bill text states it takes effect upon passage.
  • Recommendation: consult the official Massachusetts Legislature website or bill tracking service for the authoritative current status, any amendments, fiscal notes, and sponsor information.

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

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