New law ensures eligible first responders receive full compensation until retirement

(BOSTON) Last week, Governor Maura Healey signed into law An Act relative to disability pensions and critical incident stress management for violent crimes as Chapter 149 of the Acts of 2024, a new law ensuring that first responders who are permanently injured by violent acts in the line of duty receive their full regular compensation until they reach retirement age. The new law provides financial security for first responders and their families after a critical or life-threatening injury occurs while serving their state, county, city, or town. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), had been filed for multiple sessions, originally introduced by the late Senator Ken Donnelly when Senator Friedman served as his chief of staff.

“I have fought to authorize full disability pensions for first responders violently injured on duty dating back to my time working with and for my predecessor, Senator Ken Donnelly,” said Senator Friedman. “As a former firefighter, there was no bigger advocate of honoring the service and sacrifice of first responders of Massachusetts than Ken, and I am honored to have been able to play a role in getting this bill signed by the Governor, further cementing Ken’s incredible legacy. This legislation will change the lives of first responders and their families who have had to suffer through tremendous hardship.”

The legislation authorizes any employee considered a member-in-service of a retirement board to be eligible for accidental disability retirement if they sustain a catastrophic, life-threatening, or life-altering and permanent bodily injury, and are no longer able to perform their duties. Retirement boards would review evidence deemed appropriate, such as a medical panel finding that the member is physically unable to perform the essential duties of their job due to a violent act injury, and that this inability is likely to be permanent.

Senator Friedman also recognized the role law enforcement officials played in getting this legislation to the Governor’s desk, including Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost.

“This bill would not have become law without the support and partnership from first responders and law enforcement across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Friedman. “Chief Frost has been a strong partner, demonstrating the significance this policy will have to police officers across Massachusetts. I thank Chief Frost for his leadership and all he does to support first responders and the men and women of the Billerica Police Department each day.”

“This law brings common sense back to public service. For too long, Police Officers in Massachusetts who were violently injured while serving and protecting their community were forced to face extremely difficult financial hardships due to the existing pension constraints,” said Billerica Police Chief Frost. “This bill was brought forward thanks to the hard work and advocacy of former Police Officers Mario Oliveira and Bob DiNapoli, both of whom were severely injured and nearly lost their lives to gunfire while protecting their communities. I want to thank Senator Cindy Friedman and Representative Marc Lombardo for their unwavering support on this bill. Both have been strong advocates on behalf of this Department and all First
Responders in Massachusetts.”

Working with Officer Oliveira and Officer DiNapoli, two longtime law enforcement leaders, Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes and Bedford Police Chief Bobby Bongiorno, also helped guide the bill through the legislative process. The legislation was met with support throughout the years from John Nelson of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, Frank Frederickson of the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police, Larry Calderone of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, the Massachusetts Police Association, and the New England Police Benevolent Association.

The law also requires that following any incident involving exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, a member must receive notice of critical incident stress management debriefing programs. This provision ensures that first responders have access to the mental health support they need after traumatic events.