Sen. Paul Feeney files bill to place specified trial court staff in Group 2 of state retirement

Sen. Paul R. Feeney filed a bill Jan. 17, 2025, that would amend Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws to classify specified trial court employees as members of Group 2 in the state retirement system.

The proposal, filed as Senate No. 1858 and entered on the Senate docket as No. 2102, inserts language into Section 3(g) of Chapter 32 to add trial court positions — including court service coordinator, assistant court service coordinator, chief housing specialist, housing specialist, psychologist, court reporter, court interpreter and certain professional, clerical and other employees — whose duties bring them into contact with criminal defendants and other persons required to appear in court. The change is meant to explicitly place those roles into Group 2 for retirement-classification purposes.

If enacted, the bill would amend Chapter 32, Section 3(g) by inserting the listed positions after the word "hospital," at the location identified in the filing. The text in the filing reads: "employees of the trial court of the Commonwealth who hold the position of court service coordinator, assistant court service coordinator, chief housing specialist, housing specialist, psychologist, court reporter, court interpreter, professional, clerical and other employees whose duty and responsibilities bring them in contact with criminal defendants and others whose court appearance is required." The filing notes this language as the proposed insertion in line 242 of section 3(g) in the Official Edition cited in the bill.

The docketed filing also records that a similar matter was filed in the prior legislative session (Senate No. 1676 of 2023–2024). The transcript of the filing does not record committee referrals, floor votes, or testimony; it is a legislative petition to initiate consideration by the General Court.

The bill as filed does not specify budgetary impacts, implementation steps, or effective dates beyond the statutory insertion. Any change in retirement classification would require further legislative action, including committee review, potential amendments, and passage by both chambers before becoming law.

Senate No. 1858 currently stands as a filed petition on the Senate docket; the transcript provides no record of committee assignment, hearings, or votes. Further action in the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court (2025–2026) would determine whether the proposed change to Chapter 32 is enacted.