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H 4268

Second Chance Month

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Allows Wrentham to remove the police lieutenant position from civil service, moving future incumbents to non-civil service status while protecting current holders.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 4268

Summary of Bill H.4268 (Wrentham Police Lieutenant Civil Service Exemption)

Overview

H.4268 is a local act that would authorize the Town of Wrentham’s Select Board to remove the position of police lieutenant from the civil service requirements of M.G.L. Chapter 31. The bill is sponsored by Representative Marcus S. Vaughn and has progressed through the Massachusetts General Court with local approval already indicated.

What the bill would do

  • Creates an exemption for the Town of Wrentham from the civil service requirements for the position of police lieutenant.
  • The position of police lieutenant in Wrentham would no longer be subject to Chapter 31 and related civil service regulations.
  • The act would take effect upon passage.
  • A transitional protection is provided: the civil service status of any person already holding the lieutenant position at the effective date of the act would not be impaired.
  • The bill includes a mechanism for clerical and editorial changes by the General Court to the bill’s form, unless the Wrentham Select Board approves amendments within the scope of the petition’s general public objectives. The Select Board would also be authorized to approve amendments that remain within those objectives and to take any other action necessary to remove the lieutenant position from civil service.

Who is affected

  • The Town of Wrentham and its Police Department, specifically the rank of police lieutenant.
  • Current holders of the lieutenant position at the time the act takes effect (their civil service status is protected by the bill).
  • The Wrentham Select Board, which would oversee amendments within the bill’s scope and manage the transition away from civil service for this position.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduction and filing: Filed July 9, 2025; introduced as House Bill No. 4268.
  • Purpose and sponsorship: Presented by Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (9th Norfolk district).
  • Legislative path:
    • July 14, 2025: Referred to the Joint Committee on Public Service.
    • July 21, 2025: Senate concurred (progressing through chamber process).
  • Hearing schedule:
    • Initially scheduled for September 17, 2025, 1:00 PM–02:00 PM in Committee Room B-2 (with a virtual hearing noted).
    • September 5, 2025: Hearing rescheduled to September 17, 2025, 1:00 PM–05:00 PM in B-2 (extended session; time adjusted).
  • Related bill: HD 4903 is noted as a related/replace bill reference.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Local control: Enables Wrentham to decide whether to continue the lieutenant position under civil service or move to an unclassified framework more easily.
  • Employee protections: Maintains civil service status for current lieutenant(s) at the time of enactment, but prospectively removes new incumbents from Chapter 31 protections.
  • Process and oversight: Requires Select Board participation in amendments and ensures actions stay within the bill’s stated objectives.
  • Fiscal and operational effects: Potential changes in hiring, promotion, discipline, and personnel flexibility for the Wrentham Police Department, subject to local governance decisions.

This summary highlights the bill’s core purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and the current procedural status and timeline.

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

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