Massachusetts S2939: An Act relative to the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in the town of Dighton

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 2, 2026:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Board of Selectmen in the town of Dighton may appoint, as the Police Chief considers necessary, POST certified retired police officers as special police officers to perform police details or police duties arising therefrom or during the course of the police detail work, whether or not related to the detail work. Such retired police officers shall have been regular police officers and voluntary retired based on superannuation. The special police officers shall not be subject to the maximum age restrictions applied to regular police officers under Chapter 32 of the General Laws but shall not be eligible to serve as special police officers if they have reached the age of 70. Such special police officer shall pass a medical examination by a physician or other certified professional chosen by the Town to determine that the officer is capable of performing the essential duties of special police officer, the cost of which shall be borne by the special police officer, prior to performing police details. SECTION 2. Special police officers appointed pursuant to this act shall not be subject to chapter 31 of the General Laws, Section 85H and 85H1/2 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, sections 99A, and 111F of chapter 41 of the General Laws, or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Kelly Dooner (R) · primary sponsor
• Justin Thurber (R)

Latest actions

1. October 5, 2026: New draft substituted (Dooner), see S3275
2. October 5, 2026: Read second
3. October 5, 2026: Taken out of the Orders of the Day
4. August 13, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
5. July 27, 2026: Discharged from committee and recommitted to the committee on Public Service
6. July 22, 2026: Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3196
7. April 23, 2026: Discharged from committee and recommitted to the committee on Public Service
8. April 21, 2026: Accompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3060
9. March 11, 2026: 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>
10. February 27, 2026: Hearing scheduled for 03/11/2026 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Public Service (July 30, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is S2939?

S2939 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in the town of Dighton.

What is the status of S2939?

Failed as of July 22, 2026. Latest action: New draft substituted (Dooner), see S3275 (October 5, 2026).

Who sponsored S2939?

Kelly Dooner (R), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for S2939?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2939