SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 32B and Chapter 150E of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the Town of Boxford is authorized at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen, without bargaining under said chapters 32B or 150E concerning the decision or the impact thereof, to negotiate and purchase group insurance policies for employees, retirees and their dependants; alter current and future group insurance plan design features including but not limited to co-payments, deductibles and tiered provider network co-payments; and participate in or join a state program providing group insurance policies including those provided by the Group Insurance Commission or other similar program.

SECTION 2.  The provisions of this act shall not affect the town’s obligations under any collective bargaining agreements between the town and any unions in effect on the effective date of this act; provided however, that for the purposes of this act, the town’s collective bargaining obligations with respect to group insurance policies under any such collective bargaining agreement(s) shall cease as of the date of expiration of the agreement(s), regardless of whether a successor collective bargaining agreement has been approved.

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