An Act authorizing the town of Petersham to continue the employment of police department members Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 7/23/2026 | Senate | Read; and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session |
| 7/22/2026 | House | Read third and passed to be engrossed |
| 7/22/2026 | House | Rules suspended |
| 5/18/2026 | House | Read second and ordered to a third reading |
| 5/18/2026 | House | Rules suspended |
| 5/18/2026 | House | Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting |
| 5/11/2026 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling |
| 3/11/2026 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 03/11/2026 from 01:00 PM-01:25 PM in A-1 and Virtual — Hearing updated to New End Time |
| 2/27/2026 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 03/11/2026 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1 |
| 2/17/2026 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 2/12/2026 | House | Referred to the committee on Public Service |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J23 | Favorable | 1 entries |
| H52 | Place in OD | — |
| H36 | Correctly Drawn | — |
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker, Police officers with the Petersham Police Department of the Town of Petersham, may continue in such position until they reach 70 years of age, the date of their retirement or they are relieved of their duties, whichever occurs first; provided, however, that Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker are mentally and physically capable of performing the duties of the position. The town may require, at its own expense, that Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker be examined by an impartial physician designated by the town to determine his capacity. No further deductions shall be made from the regular compensation of Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker pursuant to chapter 32 of the General Laws and upon retirement Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker shall receive a superannuation retirement allowance equal to that which he would have been entitled had he retired upon reaching the age of 65.
This act shall take effect upon its passage.
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker, Police officers with the Petersham Police Department of the Town of Petersham, may continue in such position until they reach 70 years of age, the date of their retirement or they are relieved of their duties, whichever occurs first; provided, however, that Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker are mentally and physically capable of performing the duties of the position. The town may require, at its own expense, that Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker be examined by an impartial physician designated by the town to determine his capacity. No further deductions shall be made from the regular compensation of Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker pursuant to chapter 32 of the General Laws and upon retirement Richard D. Cooley Jr. and David A. Shoemaker shall receive a superannuation retirement allowance equal to that which he would have been entitled had he retired upon reaching the age of 65. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.