Massachusetts Panel Hears Bills to Restore Retirement Credit for Bypassed Officers

BOSTON — January 27, 2026 — Massachusetts public safety retirement bills draw Lawrence fire captain, Salem senator to Beacon Hill hearing. The Joint Committee on Public Service, co-chaired by Rep. Daniel J. Ryan and Sen. Michael D. Brady, took testimony January 27 on two measures aimed at restoring retirement credit to police officers and firefighters shortchanged by hiring-process failures or unrecognized reserve service. Lawrence Fire Captain Michael Armano testified in favor of a statewide bill, sponsored by Sen. Pavel Paiano, that would allow candidates improperly bypassed during civil service hiring to buy back lost service time, calling the status quo "a lifelong disadvantage" for vindicated candidates. Sen. Joan Lovely testified for House No. 4909, which would require the Salem Retirement Board to grant creditable service without member payment to nine city police officers and eight firefighters whose reserve or call duty predates their February 11, 2020 enrollment in the Salem Retirement System — a measure backed by the Salem Retirement Board, the mayor, and the City Council.