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 any general or special law or rule to the contrary, if permanent employee of the fire force of the city of Haverhill serving in any position in a title above the lowest title on the force is to be separated from the position because of lack of money or the abolition of the position, he shall be separated from the position according to his seniority in the title, based on his length of service after permanent promotion in the force and shall be reinstated to the position held by him according to the seniority; but, this section shall apply only to a reduction in force resulting in a demotion from title above the lowest title on the force to the next lowest title in succession in the force and shall not affect the seniority of any employee in service for any other purpose, including but not limited to, the separation of a permanent employee from service on the force.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general or specific law or rule to the contrary, if a permanent employee of the superior and executive police officers of the city of Haverhill serving in any position in a title above the lowest title on such force is to be separated from the position because of lack of money or the abolition of the position, he shall be separated from the position according to his seniority in the title, based on his length of service after permanent promotion in the force and shall be reinstated to the position held by him according to the seniority; but, this section shall apply only to a reduction in force resulting in a demotion from title above the lowest title on the force to the next lowest title in succession in the force and shall not affect the seniority of any employee in service for any other purpose, including but not limited to, the separation of a permanent employee from service on the force.

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