Relates to providing valid government issued photo identification when casting a ballot

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Helming and 2 co-sponsors

The bill provides a named surviving spouse with accidental death benefits, a lump-sum payout, ongoing 72% pension, and equivalent health coverage, paid by the Boston Retirement Boa

DEFEATED IN ELECTIONS

Purpose / Intent

S.2574 is a private (case‑specific) pension bill that would grant accidental death benefits and related protections to Rachel Marie Troy, the surviving spouse of Mathew M. Troy, a former Boston firefighter who died from a health condition (including cholangiocarcinoma) suffered while performing firefighting duties. The stated intent is to make an exception to general pension law to provide survivor benefits in this particular case.

Key provisions

Waiver/exception: The bill operates “notwithstanding Section 9 of Chapter 32” of the Massachusetts General Laws (and other contrary law) to authorize benefits for this named survivor.

Lump sum payment: Rachel Marie Troy would receive a lump‑sum payment from the Boston Retirement Board equal to the total accumulated retirement deductions paid by Mathew M. Troy into the annuity savings fund.

Ongoing accidental death allowance: The survivor would receive a yearly pension equal to 72% of either (a) the annual rate of regular compensation on the date the injury/impairment was sustained, or (b) 72% of the average annual compensation for the 12‑month period immediately preceding death—whichever is greater.

Medical coverage: The surviving spouse would have the opportunity to retain medical insurance coverage equivalent to what Mathew M. Troy would have been entitled to if he had retired from the City of Boston.

Effective date: The act would take effect upon passage.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiary: Rachel Marie Troy (the named surviving spouse).

Administrative entity: Boston Retirement Board (responsible for payment and administration).

Secondary impact: City of Boston retirement system finances could be affected to the extent of benefit payments; no aggregate fiscal estimate is provided in the bill text.

Procedural / timeline notes

Filed: 4/29/2025 (Senate Docket No. 2857). Presented by Senators Nick Collins and Daniel J. Hunt.

The legislative record supplied lists multiple committee referrals and actions and shows the bill was recorded as “DEFEATED IN ELECTIONS” on 2025‑05‑06. (The record includes later dated entries that appear inconsistent; the bill text and primary sponsors above reflect the version filed in the Massachusetts Senate.)

Related/shared documents referenced: SD 2857; prior‑session bills S.2091, S.3625, S.876; companion A.3302.

Impact and considerations

This is a narrowly tailored, case‑specific pension bill rather than a general change to pension law; fiscal impact is limited to the benefits paid for this named individual and any associated administrative costs.

It creates a statutory exception to normal Chapter 32 procedures for accidental death benefits and directs the Boston Retirement Board to make specified payments and provide equivalent health coverage.

Bill