Section 103 Civil Service Law Exemptions

Said chapter 238 is hereby further amended by striking out section 284 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
Section 284. Notwithstanding chapter 31 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, a city or town, on behalf of which legislation has been duly filed with the general court between January 4, 2023 and July 31, 2024, inclusive, relative to the participation in civil service of the police or fire department of the city or town or any or all positions within said police or fire department, and which includes a documented local approval as acknowledged by the clerk of the senate or house of representatives, may enact any such exemption, including, but not limited to, a procedural exemption related to hiring practices, as specified within such legislation without the need for any further action by the general court on such legislation; provided, however, that any city or town that seeks an exemption pursuant to this section shall submit a letter indicating that the city or town still seeks such exemption from said chapter 31 to the personnel administrator of the division of human resources within the executive office for administration and finance, the joint committee on public service and the chair of the civil service commission duly signed by: (i) the mayor or city manager, in the case of a city, or the chair of the select board or town manager, in the case of a town; and (ii) the police chief or fire chief, as applicable, of the department seeking exemption; provided further, that any such letter shall be received by the personnel administrator of the division of human resources in proper form not later than February 15, 2025; provided further, that the appropriate exemption for which such letter is so submitted shall take effect on March 1, 2025; provided further, that the personnel administrator shall reconsider and approve any request for exemption outlined in such letter which previously received an adverse determination of eligibility on the basis of the scope of the local approval as soon as practicable but not later than August 30, 2025; and provided further, that an exemption approved after reconsideration shall be effective as of March 1, 2025.