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 any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, section 103 of chapter 32 of the General Laws shall apply to and be considered accepted by the town of Hingham and the Hingham retirement system so that the Hingham retirement board may both vote to grant cost of living adjustments in accordance with said section 103 of said chapter 32 retroactive to July 1, 1998 and vote to grant cost of living increases greater than the percentage increase recommended by the public employees retirement administration commission, but not greater than 3 per cent annually, retroactive to July 1, 1998.

SECTION 2. The town of Hingham retirement board may grant costs of living adjustments in accordance with this act to both contributory and noncontributory members of the Hingham retirement system.

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