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Sen. John J. Cronin files bill to continue GIC coverage for Group 4 members during disability review
Summary
Sen. John J. Cronin filed Senate bill No. 1815 on Jan. 15, 2025, proposing to amend Section 28N of chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws so that GIC health care benefits for Group 4 members are continued while the member's accidental or ordinary disability retirement application is pending.
Sen. John J. Cronin filed legislation Jan. 15 that would require GIC health care benefits for "Group 4" members to continue while the member's disability retirement application is pending. The filing is Senate bill No. 1815 and would amend Section 28N of chapter 32 of the General Laws.
The bill's filing form and text say the proposed insertion would read, in part: "When any Group 4 member has applied and/or going through the accidental or ordinary disability retirement process said member's GIC health care benefits will not be terminated and be continued until the members retirement is approved." The filing lists Sen. John J. Cronin of Worcester and Middlesex as the petitioner.
Why it matters: the filing would change the timing of health coverage termination for members classified in the bill as "Group 4" who are applying for accidental or ordinary disability retirement. The bill text as filed does not specify fiscal impacts, implementation steps, or an effective date.
Details of the filing: the bill cites an amendment to Section 28N of chapter 32 of the General Laws but does not include implementing language about cost, eligibility verification, or whether continuation applies during appeals. The filing also notes a similar matter, Senate No. 1634, was filed in the 2023–2024 session; the new filing is identified as Senate No. 1815.
What the filing does not show: the document is a petition and bill filing; it does not show committee referral, legislative sponsorship beyond Sen. Cronin's petition, a legislative vote, or enactment. The text does not define "GIC" or "Group 4" within the filing; those terms are used as written in the submitted bill. The filing does not state an estimated cost to the state, the number of affected employees, or whether continuation would apply retroactively.
Next steps: as with all bills, Senate No. 1815 would need committee consideration and votes in both legislative chambers and the governor's signature to become law. The filing itself places the proposed language on the public legislative record; no formal action beyond filing is shown in the document.
Taper: The full text of the filing is available in the Senate docket for Jan. 15, 2025, under Senate Docket No. 995 and Senate Bill No. 1815.
