Bill > H2567

This bill proposes to amend the General Laws of Massachusetts to provide enhanced disability pensions for certain public employees, such as firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel, who suffer from a "violent act injury" sustained in the line of duty. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Defining a "violent act injury" as a serious and permanent bodily injury resulting from a violent attack using a dangerous weapon. 2. Allowing these public employees to receive a disability pension equal to 100% of their regular compensation if they are unable to perform their essential job duties due to a violent act injury, with the pension continuing at 80% of their average annual rate of compensation upon reaching mandatory retirement age. 3. Providing survivor benefits to the employee's spouse and dependent children in the event of the employee's death from the violent act injury. 4. Requiring the employees to participate in critical incident stress management debriefing following traumatic incidents, with any subsequent behavioral health consultations kept confidential. The aim of this bill is to provide enhanced financial and mental health support for public safety personnel who suffer severe injuries while serving their communities.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2567