Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H5606: An Act authorizing the appointment of special police officers in the city of Somerville
Status: In committee, October 26, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, July 27, 2026:
SECTION 1. The mayor of the city of Somerville may appoint special police officers for the city as the mayor deems necessary for the safety and protection of the citizens. SECTION 2. Special police officers appointed under this act shall have the same power to make arrests and to perform other police functions as reserve and intermittent police officers in or upon lands or structures owned, used or occupied by Somerville Housing Authority residents and staff and to perform any police duties arising therefrom. Special police officers appointed under this act shall be subject to the applicable training requirements of such officers established by the municipal police training committee and the city. SECTION 3. Special police officers shall be appointed for a term to be determined by the mayor, subject to removal by the mayor with the recommendation of the chief of police. Special police officers shall be confirmed by the city council and sworn before the city clerk who shall keep a record of all such appointments and the term of appointment. SECTION 4. The Somerville police chief may, in the Chief’s sole discretion, adopt rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and requirements that shall be applicable to all or certain special police officers including, but not to be limited to, requirements regarding medical examinations to determine continuing capability to …
Sponsors
- Erika Uyterhoeven (D, 27th Middlesex) · primary sponsor
- Christine Barber (D)
- Patricia Jehlen (D, Second Middlesex)
- Mike Connolly (D, 26th Middlesex)
Latest actions
- : Read second and ordered to a third reading
- : Rules suspended
- : Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
- : 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>
- : 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>
- : Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2026 from 11:00 AM-04:00 PM in A-1
- : Senate concurred
- : 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 H5606?
- H5606 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act authorizing the appointment of special police officers in the city of Somerville.
- What is the status of H5606?
- In committee as of October 26, 2026. Latest action: Read second and ordered to a third reading (October 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored H5606?
- Erika Uyterhoeven (D, 27th Middlesex), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H5606?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5606
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.