Massachusetts · 194th General Court (2025-2026)

H 5380Law

An Act exempting the positions of police chief and deputy police chief in the city of Medford from the civil service law

Source of recordMassachusetts · malegislature.govLast synced Aug 31, 2026

Chamber

House

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To Governor
Became Law

Overview

This bill would allow the city of Medford, Massachusetts, to exempt the positions of police chief and deputy police chief from the state’s civil service law. Currently, these roles are subject to civil service regulations, but this legislation would give the city the authority to appoint these officers without adhering to those rules. The bill was approved by the mayor and city council of Medford before being submitted to the legislature. This change aims to provide the city with more flexibility in selecting and managing its police leadership.

Key provisions

Authorizes Medford to exempt the police chief and deputy police chief positions from the civil service law.
Allows the city to appoint these officers without following civil service procedures.
The exemption was approved by the Medford mayor and city council.
The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Service.

Who is affected

City of Medford, Massachusetts
Police Chief
Deputy Police Chief
Medford City Council
Medford Mayor

Notable changes

Currently, police chiefs and deputy chiefs are subject to civil service regulations.
This bill would remove this restriction for Medford.
The city of Medford has local approval for this change.

Bill text

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Legislative history

13 recorded actions · showing the most recent 12

Apr 16, 2026Senate

Senate concurred

May 22, 2026joint

Hearing scheduled for 06/03/2026 from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM in B-2

Jun 3, 2026joint

Hearing rescheduled to 06/03/2026 from 11:00 AM-11:45 AM in B-2 Hearing updated to New End Time

Jul 27, 2026House

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Jul 30, 2026House

Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting

Jul 30, 2026House

Rules suspended

Jul 30, 2026House

Read second and ordered to a third reading

Aug 13, 2026House

Read third and passed to be engrossed

Aug 20, 2026Senate

Read, rules suspended, read second, ordered to a third reading, read third and passed to be engrossed

Aug 20, 2026House

Enacted

Aug 20, 2026Senate

Enacted and laid before the Governor

Aug 21, 2026House

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 192 of the Acts of 2026

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Vote map

House districts

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Nay

Yea

Floor votes and chamber actions

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Recorded roll calls

Geography

Recorded positions across the state.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

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Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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An Act exempting the positions of police chief and deputy police chief in the city of Medford from the civil service law

Progress

Overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Bill text

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsors

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls

Geography

Arguments

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Geography

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls