Mass. public-safety and frontline unions back bill to grant COVID retirement credit for essential workers

Representatives of police, fire and other frontline public employees told the Joint Committee on Public Service that they support legislation to provide a COVID-19 retirement credit for employees who worked in person during the state of emergency.

The witnesses asked the committee to report House Bill 3003, which would create a commission to study awarding a retirement credit, and Senate Bill 1802, which would provide a retirement credit equal to the duration of the state of emergency to eligible essential employees. Testimony described the period of the Massachusetts COVID state of emergency as March 2020 through June 2021.

“While much of the world worked remotely or sheltered in place, police officers and other frontline public employees reported daily for the normal post, often without adequate personal protection equipment,” Michael Perera, labor relations manager for the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, told the committee. “They responded to emergencies, enforced public health mandates, and kept communities safe, all while risking exposure to the deadly disease.”

Jamie Keneally, an active-duty Boston police officer and legislative director for the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, said the bill “recognizes the tremendous service and sacrifice and danger and risk of exposure every police officer … faced during the COVID‑19 state of emergency.” He invoked the memory of Officer Jose Fontanez, who died on April 14, 2020, as reason the Commonwealth should both recognize and reward service.

Christopher Johnson, legislative director for the State Police Association of Massachusetts, described the bill as applying to “all essential workers who didn't have the opportunity to stay home during the pandemic,” including police, fire, EMS, corrections and court officers. Luke Bonin, vice president of the State Police Association, said the proposal was not “a monetary bonus, but a bonus of time,” and urged the committee to treat the credit as a way to restore time lost during the pandemic.

Firefighters’ representatives echoed those points; Paul Jacques of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts told members that dozens in one local contracted COVID‑19 and several were hospitalized, saying families received little support when members were ill. Testimony repeatedly noted long-term health impacts, including “long haulers.”

No committee vote occurred at the hearing. Sponsors referenced in testimony included Representative Jonathan Zolnick (House Bill 3003) and Senator Nick Collins (Senate Bill 1802). Witnesses asked the committee to report the measures favorably so the proposals can proceed to further study or floor consideration.

The committee took no formal action on the bills during the session; witnesses said next steps would be legislative reporting and possible further committees or floor consideration if the measures advance.