An Act to provide pensions to surviving spouses of Department of Children and Families social workers killed in the line of duty

This bill creates a pension benefit for surviving spouses of Department of Children and Families (DCF) social workers who die while performing their duties. It directly affects DCF social workers who are killed in the line of duty and their surviving spouses. The law requires the Massachusetts State Board of Retirement to establish specific eligibility rules for this pension, effective January 1, 2023. The policy change expands pension eligibility to cover these specific public safety workers who lose their lives on duty.