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MassachusettsH 4214194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act relative to the appointment of the police chief in the city of Fall River

Sponsored By: Carole A. Fiola (Democratic), Michael J. Rodrigues (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public ServiceHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Fall River police chief now under civil service

The law places the Fall River Police Chief job under Massachusetts civil service rules on passage. The Mayor still appoints the Chief, and for up to three years the Chief’s contract terms follow Section 1080 of Chapter 41. The Chief is the head of the department and the appointing authority for all police employees under civil service. These rules apply only to police-chief vacancies that happen on or after the law’s effective date. Current police employees keep their civil service status, seniority, and rights.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Carole A. Fiola

    Democratic • House

  • Michael J. Rodrigues

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 9 • No: 0

committee vote • 11/14/2025

Committee Favorable: Joint Committee on Public Service

Yes: 9 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 10 of the Acts of 2026

    1/29/2026

  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    1/20/2026Senate

  3. Enacted

    1/20/2026House

  4. Read third (title changed) and passed to be engrossed

    1/15/2026Senate

  5. Taken out of the Orders of the Day

    1/15/2026Senate

  6. Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading

    12/22/2025Senate

  7. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    12/18/2025House

  8. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    11/24/2025House

  9. Rules suspended

    11/24/2025House

  10. Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting

    11/24/2025House

  11. Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    11/19/2025House

  12. Hearing rescheduled to 09/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-02:00 PM in B-2 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>

    9/17/2025legislature

  13. Hearing scheduled for 09/17/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2

    9/5/2025legislature

  14. Senate concurred

    6/12/2025Senate

  15. Referred to the committee on Public Service

    6/9/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chapter 10 of the Acts of 2026

    1/29/2026

    PDF

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