Massachusetts Senate Bill S2613

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/18/25
• Refer: 6/18/25
• Refer: 7/28/25

Caption

Authorizing the retirement board of the city of Salem to retire Kathleen Rocheville, a police officer of the city of Salem

Impact

The bill effectively alters the application of existing pension laws by providing a specific retirement solution for Rocheville, who suffered a debilitating injury while performing her police duties. It guarantees her financial support and health coverage related to her injuries, ensuring that she is compensated fairly despite her inability to continue her service. This special authorization demonstrates a commitment to supporting injured public servants and recognizes the sacrifices made by officers in the line of duty.

Summary

Bill S2613 authorizes the retirement board of the city of Salem to retire Kathleen Rocheville, a police officer who has become totally and permanently incapacitated due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. This legislation includes provisions that allow Rocheville to receive benefits equal to the salary she would have earned had she remained on duty until her mandatory retirement age. It specifies funding and administrative procedures for this retirement process in accordance with the existing general laws related to municipal pensions.

Contention

While there does not appear to be significant opposition to the bill, notable points of contention may arise concerning the appropriateness of special legislation for an individual case. Proponents would argue that such tailored legislative actions are necessary to address unique circumstances that fall outside standard procedures, particularly concerning public safety personnel. However, there may be discussions on the implications of establishing precedents for personalized retirement arrangements, especially for other public employees who experience similar situations.