Massachusetts § 60A - Intermittent or reserve police or fire force members; effect of refusals to accept employment on permanent basis in regular police or fire force

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 60A — Intermittent or reserve police or fire force members; effect of refusals to accept employment on permanent basis in regular police or fire force, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 60A. Intermittent or reserve police or fire force members; effect of refusals to accept employment on permanent basis in regular police or fire force

Section 60A. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 60 to the contrary, this section shall apply to a city or town that has an intermittent or reserve police or fire force and that accepts this section by majority vote of the select board of a town or of the city council of a city, subject to its charter.

(b) A member of an intermittent or reserve police or fire force who, after being duly certified on three occasions, refuses employment on a permanent basis in the regular police or fire force shall not be eligible for further certification for appointment to that force and, notwithstanding sections 41, 43 and 44 or any other law, shall cease to be a member of such intermittent or reserve police or fire force. But no such member shall cease to be such a member as a result of having so refused such employment on three such occasions if he shall have submitted to the appointing authority, in writing, on a form or in such manner to be prescribed by the administrator, not later than such third refusal, an irrevocable request by such member not to be so terminated from the intermittent or reserve police or fire force. No such member who is so exempted from such termination shall be counted for the purpose of determining the size of such intermittent or reserve force. The refusal of any such member to accept appointment to the regular force made while he was serving in the armed forces of the United States shall not be included among the refusals referred to in this paragraph.

(c) The appointing authority shall send to the administrator a notice of termination of service of any such member that occurs pursuant to this paragraph. Such notice shall set forth the occasion of each refusal and the date of termination of service of such member. The appointing authority shall send to the administrator a copy of an irrevocable request by any member not to be terminated from the intermittent or reserve police or fire force indicating the date on which such request was received. The administrator shall deny any request of a member of an intermittent or reserve police or fire force that he not be certified in any instance for appointment to the regular force.

(d) This section shall not prevent the appointment to the regular fire force of a city or town of a call firefighter under any general or special law.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 60A

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 60A cover?

Section 60A ("Intermittent or reserve police or fire force members; effect of refusals to accept employment on permanent basis in regular police or fire force") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 60A?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 60A" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 60A apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.