Senate, June 27, 2024 - New draft (Senator Timilty) to Senate Bill authorizing the town of Milton to use certain property for school purposes (Senate, No. 2549).
This law establishes a new disability pension program for public safety workers, such as police officers and firefighters, who suffer permanent injuries from violent attacks involving weapons like firearms or knives. To qualify, an injured employee must be unable to perform their job duties, and the injury must have occurred within two years of their application for retirement. The bill mandates a rigorous review process involving medical panels to confirm the injury's severity and permanence before granting benefits. Once approved, eligible workers receive a monthly pension equal to 100% of their pre-injury salary, plus a lump-sum payment of their accumulated retirement deductions, with additional survivor benefits for spouses and children.
This law allows the town of Weston to issue a special permit for BU West, LLC to sell and serve alcohol on the premises at its Josiah Smith Tavern and Barn location. The permit is restricted to the dining room and other areas approved by local officials, and it cannot be transferred to a different address. If the current holder stops operating or fails to renew the license, the town may reissue the permit to a new applicant at the same site after verifying that all taxes and fees are paid. The new license must be granted within one year of the law taking effect, and this act repeals an older 2008 law regarding similar licenses.
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill relative to salary range transparency (House, No. 4109), reports, in part, recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4890).
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts (House, No. 4648), reports recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4889).
By Representative Zlotnik of Gardner, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4589) of Jonathan D. Zlotnik (with the approval of the mayor and city council) that certain land in the city of Gardner be changed from use as a public school to use for general municipal purposes. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
Senate, July 18, 2024 - New draft (Senator E. Kennedy) to Senate Bill relative to vacancies on the city of Lowell city council and school committee (Senate, No. 2762).
By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2422) of Michael D. Brady, Gerard J. Cassidy and Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida (by vote of the town) for legislation to change the board of selectmen in the town of East Bridgewater to a select board. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local approval received]
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment (striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text contained in Senate document numbered 2584; and striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title: “An Act to sensibly address firearm violence through effective reform”) of the House Bill modernizing firearm laws (House, No. 4139), reports recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4885). July 17, 2024.
By Representative Cusack of Braintree and Senator Timilty, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4214) of Mark J. Cusack, Walter F. Timilty and John F. Keenan (by vote of the town) that the city known as the town of Braintree be authorized to provide for the retirement of William R. Cushing Jr., a police officer in said city. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]
This bill authorizes the town of Freetown to hire retired full-time police officers as special police officers to assist with various police duties. To qualify, applicants must have previously served as regular officers, voluntarily retired due to age, pass a medical exam paid for by the individual, and maintain their own health insurance. The act grants these special officers the same arrest powers as regular police but limits their employment to one-year renewable terms with no additional town benefits beyond an hourly detail rate. Additionally, the legislation exempts these officers from certain state laws regarding age restrictions and specific employee protections while requiring them to follow the town's standard departmental rules.
By Representative Peake of Provincetown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2097) of Sarah K. Peake (by vote of the town) that the town of Eastham be authorized to establish the Eastham community fund for the purposes of providing human service support, emergency financial assistance, and for the general well-being of its residents. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
