An Act relative to the reinstatement of positions in a departmental unit according to seniority for the city of Methuen

This bill changes how Methuen city departments handle layoffs and rehiring for permanent, tenured employees under state civil service rules. It requires that when positions are cut due to lack of work or funding, employees must be separated based on seniority within their job rank, and those laid off must be reinstated before new hires. Employees can choose to accept a demotion to a lower rank (if vacancies exist) as an alternative to separation, with the option to return to their original rank if funding returns. The policy specifically applies to Methuen city employees and overrides certain standard state civil service provisions for this city.