Massachusetts H5597: An Act providing for the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in the town of Acushnet

What the bill says

From the introduced text, July 22, 2026:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the Board of Selectmen of the town of Acushnet may appoint, at the recommendation of the chief of police and as the chief of police deems necessary, retired police officers as special police officers to perform police details or any police duties arising from police details or during the course of police detail work, whether or not related to the detail work. Such retired police officers shall have been regular full-time police officers who voluntarily retired based upon superannuation. No further deductions shall be made from the regular compensation of such retired police officers under chapter 32 of the General Laws for any service subsequent to their retirement and, upon retirement, such retired police officers shall receive a superannuation retirement allowance equal to that for which they would be entitled to without regard to working any police details subsequent to their retirement. Special police officers appointed pursuant to this act shall not be subject to the maximum age restrictions applied to regular police officers under said chapter 32; provided, however, that such special police officers shall not be eligible to serve as special police officers after reaching 70 years of age. Prior to appointment pursuant to this act, a special police officer shall provide certification to …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Steven Ouellette (D) · primary sponsor
• Mark Sylvia (D)
• Mark Montigny (D, Second Bristol and Plymouth)

Latest actions

1. October 13, 2026: Read second and ordered to a third reading
2. October 13, 2026: Rules suspended
3. October 13, 2026: Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
4. September 28, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
5. September 9, 2026: Hearing rescheduled to 09/09/2026 from 11:00 AM-04:00 PM in A-1 <br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
6. September 9, 2026: Hearing rescheduled to 09/09/2026 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM in A-1 <br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
7. August 26, 2026: Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2026 from 11:00 AM-04:00 PM in A-1
8. July 23, 2026: Senate concurred
9. July 22, 2026: Referred to the committee on Public Service

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Public Service (September 25, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is H5597?

H5597 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act providing for the appointment of retired police officers as special police officers in the town of Acushnet.

What is the status of H5597?

In committee as of October 13, 2026. Latest action: Read second and ordered to a third reading (October 13, 2026).

Who sponsored H5597?

Steven Ouellette (D), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H5597?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5597