Efforts Within the Commonwealth
With the start of 2025, we begin a new legislative session on Beacon Hill and restart our efforts to reclassify certified emergency telecommunications across the Commonwealth from Group 1 into Group 2 of the public retirement system.
Two bills have been introduced into the House of Representatives and the Senate:
FIRST RESPONDER CLASSIFICATION
Bill H.2663 An Act relative to the internal benefits of public safety telecommunicators – Introduced by Representative William MacGregor and other co-sponsors.
11/12/2025 Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
Bill S.1761 An Act relative to the internal benefits of public safety telecommunicators – Introduced by Senator Michael Rush.
1/27/2026 Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
RETIREMENT RECLASSIFICATION
Bill H.2968 An Act relative to Massachusetts certified emergency telecommunicators Introduced by Representative Todd Smola and other co-sponsors.
3/25/2026 Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
Bill S.1906 An Act relative to Massachusetts certified emergency telecommunicators Introduced by Senator Michael F. Rush and other co-sponsors.
1/15/2026 Reporting date extended to Tuesday March 17, 2026
National Efforts
Nationally, Rep. Torres is the sponsor of the 911 Saves Act, which will was introduced on January 22, 2025. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) currently classifies Public Safety Telecommunicators in the administrative/clerical category. The 911 Saves Act would ensure that Public Safety Telecommunicators are categorized as “Protective Service Occupations,” which includes a broad range of “protective” occupations: lifeguards, fish and game wardens, parking enforcement workers, firefighters, and even playground monitors, among others. Reclassification is about getting Public Safety Telecommunicators the recognition they deserve for the work they do every day to protect and save the lives of the public and first responders. Additionally, including Public Safety Telecommunicators in the Protective Service group would make the SOC a more accurate and therefore more useful statistical resource, and would also better align the SOC with related classification systems. It is a simple, zero-cost legislative fix to reclassify Public Safety Telecommunicators as Protective Service Occupations.
MCSA representatives were present during the “911 Goes to Washington” conference, and will continue to work with Rep. Torres and Rep. Fitzpatrick to move the 911 Saves Act Along.
We urge all of Massachusetts Public Safety Telecommunicators to reach out to members of congress, and invite them to join us in the reclassification efforts.
Click Here for contact information for the Massachusetts House Members.
Click Here for contact information for the Massachusetts Members of Congress.
