Bill > S1919

This bill provides a special retirement provision for Greg Heath, a former firefighter in Westfield, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The bill allows the Westfield retirement board to retire Greg Heath under section 7 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, specifically based on health impairment caused by Parkinson's Disease that the board determines was a result of his employment. Before retirement, Heath must be examined by a medical panel that certifies he is mentally or physically incapacitated from further duty, with the incapacity likely to be permanent and potentially a natural result of Parkinson's Disease. The public employee retirement administration commission may waive the medical panel examination if Heath has previously been examined and is already receiving a disability benefit. The bill specifies that these retirement provisions will take effect on September 26, 2020, and override any existing general or special laws that might otherwise prevent such a retirement arrangement. This legislation appears to be a special case designed to provide retirement benefits to a specific public employee based on his medical condition and its potential connection to his work as a firefighter.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1919