H5110 • 2025

An Act authorizing the town of Petersham to continue the employment of police department members Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Saunders, Aaron L.
Last action: 2026-05-18
Official status: Referred to House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act authorizing the town of Petersham to continue the employment of police department members Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker

An Act authorizing the town of Petersham to continue the employment of police department members Richard D.

What This Bill Does

An Act authorizing the town of Petersham to continue the employment of police department members Richard D.
Cooley Jr.
and David A.
Shoemaker By Representative Saunders of Belchertown and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-05-18 House
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
2026-05-18 House
Rules suspended
2026-05-18 House
Read second and ordered to a third reading
2026-05-11 House
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
2026-03-11 Joint
Hearing rescheduled to 03/11/2026 from 01:00 PM-01:25 PM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
2026-02-27 Joint
Hearing scheduled for 03/11/2026 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
2026-02-17 Senate
Senate concurred
2026-02-12 House
Referred to the committee on Public Service

Official Summary Text

An Act authorizing the town of Petersham to continue the employment of police department members Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker
By Representative Saunders of Belchertown and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5110) of Aaron L. Saunders (by vote of the town) that the town of Petersham be authorized to continue the employment of police department members Richard D. Cooley, Jr., and David A. Shoemaker, notwithstanding the maximum age requirement. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]
Status:
Referred to House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Bill H.5110

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker, Police officers with the Petersham Police Department of the Town of Petersham, may continue in such position until they reach 70 years of age, the date of their retirement or they are relieved of their duties, whichever occurs first; provided, however, that Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker are mentally and physically capable of performing the duties of the position. The town may require, at its own expense, that Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker be examined by an impartial physician designated by the town to determine his capacity. No further deductions shall be made from the regular compensation of Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker pursuant to chapter 32 of the General Laws and upon retirement Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker shall receive a superannuation retirement allowance equal to that which he would have been entitled had he retired upon reaching the age of 65.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.