Bill > S1111

This bill modifies Section 15 of Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws to change how convictions of retirement system members are reported and handled. Specifically, the bill requires the Attorney General or a district attorney to immediately notify the commission (likely the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, or PERAC) when they become aware of a final conviction that might result in the forfeiture of a member's pension or retirement benefits. However, the commission is now restricted from reporting this conviction to the member's retirement board or employer unless two conditions are met: first, the commission must determine that the specific conviction actually requires forfeiture of pension rights under certain state law provisions, and second, the commission must be prepared to direct the retirement board or employer to take action to implement the forfeiture. This change appears designed to add a layer of review and deliberation before potentially career-ending actions are taken against a retiree with a criminal conviction, ensuring that not every conviction automatically leads to loss of retirement benefits.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1111