Study Order

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill authorizes a formal study by the House Public Service Committee to examine and potentially draft legislation on the maximum age for original appointment of firefighters an

Discharged to the committee on House Rules

Summary of Bill H. 5398 (194th MA Session) — Study Order

Purpose and intent

Authorizes the Massachusetts House Public Service Committee to conduct an investigation and study related to the maximum age requirement for original appointment to the positions of firefighter or police officer in the City of Haverhill.

The study stems from a petition (House Document 4443) seeking authorization for Haverhill to further regulate the maximum age for original appointment in these roles.

Key provisions

Creates a temporary mandate for the House Public Service Committee to sit during a recess of the General Court to study House Document 4443.

The committee is directed to:

Investigate and study the maximum age requirement for original appointment as firefighter or police officer in Haverhill.
Report the results of the investigation and study to the General Court.
Include recommendations, if any, and drafts of legislation needed to implement those recommendations.

The committee must file its report with the Clerk of the House on or before December 31, 2026.

Who/what is affected

The City of Haverhill would be the primary locality affected, specifically its fire and police departments’ original appointment age policies.

The bill affects legislative proceedings by directing the House Public Service Committee to study and potentially draft legislation related to age requirements for recruitment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Schedule: The committee is authorized to sit during a recess to perform the study.

Reporting deadline: December 31, 2026.

Status and path: Reported favorably by the committee on Public Service and referred to Joint Rules, then discharged to the House Rules Committee as part of the standard legislative process.

Practical implications (potential outcomes)

If the study identifies policy gaps or compelling reasons to adjust age requirements, the Legislature could consider drafting and enacting legislation to modify eligibility age limits for Haverhill’s firefighter and police officer recruitment.

Any proposed changes would require standard legislative process to become law and would impact recruitment practices in Haverhill, potentially affecting applicant pools and workforce planning for public safety departments.

Note: The bill itself does not modify age requirements directly; it authorizes a formal study and potential subsequent legislation based on the study’s findings.