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MassachusettsH 5110194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act authorizing the town of Petersham to continue the employment of police department members Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker

Sponsored By: Aaron L. Saunders (Democratic), Joanne M. Comerford (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Public ServiceHouse Steering, Policy and SchedulingBills in the Third Reading

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Two Petersham officers can work until 70

Effective upon passage, the law lets Petersham keep employing police officers Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker. They can serve until age 70, retirement, or removal from duty, whichever comes first, despite other retirement-age laws. Both must remain mentally and physically able to do their jobs. The town can require exams by an impartial doctor it chooses, at town expense. No further retirement deductions under chapter 32 come from their regular pay. Each officer’s retirement allowance equals what he would have received by retiring at age 65.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Aaron L. Saunders

    Democratic • House

  • Joanne M. Comerford

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 10 • No: 0

committee vote • 5/8/2026

Committee Favorable: Favorable Report

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 236 of the Acts of 2026

    10/9/2026

  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    10/1/2026Senate

  3. Enacted

    10/1/2026House

  4. House concurred in the Senate amendment

    9/28/2026House

  5. Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading

    8/24/2026House

  6. Read third, amended and passed to be engrossed

    8/20/2026Senate

  7. Taken out of the Orders of the Day

    8/20/2026Senate

  8. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    8/6/2026Senate

  9. Taken out of the Orders of the Day

    8/6/2026Senate

  10. Read; and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session

    7/23/2026Senate

  11. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    7/22/2026House

  12. Rules suspended

    7/22/2026House

  13. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    5/18/2026House

  14. Rules suspended

    5/18/2026House

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

    5/18/2026House

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

    5/11/2026House

  17. Hearing rescheduled to 03/11/2026 from 01:00 PM-01:25 PM in A-1 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>

    3/11/2026legislature

  18. Hearing scheduled for 03/11/2026 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

    2/27/2026legislature

  19. Senate concurred

    2/17/2026Senate

  20. Referred to the committee on Public Service

    2/12/2026House

Bill Text

  • Chapter 236 of the Acts of 2026

    10/9/2026

    PDF

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