Session Laws

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections nine and nine A of chapter two hundred and fifty-eight of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the city of Springfield may indemnify members of the police and fire departments of the city of Springfield, from any personal financial loss and expenses, including legal and professional fees and costs, if any, arising out of any criminal complaint or application therefor or indictment by reason of an act, alleged act, failure to act or alleged failure to act under state or federal law; provided, however, that such indemnification shall be made only if the employee is found not guilty and only if at the time of such alleged criminal violation the employee was in the good faith performance of his duties, from which duties the public received a benefit. No such employee or official shall be indemnified hereunder, if at the time of the act, he was acting in a grossly negligent, willful or malicious manner.

Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the city to so indemnify any such employees or officials. Such indemnification shall not be required as a term and condition of employment in any collective bargaining agreement. Payments made under the provisions of this section shall be authorized only when the same has been requested by the mayor and approved by two-thirds of all members of the council.

SECTION 2. Section one shall take effect as of January first, nineteen hundred and eighty upon its acceptance by the city of Springfield.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.