SECTION 1. Chapter 48 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 90 the following section:

Section 91: The Department of Fire Services shall recognize firefighters who have completed twenty years of service within the state of Massachusetts to be considered for the designation of “Legacy Firefighter.” Additionally, firefighters who cannot complete 20 years of service due to premature medical retirement shall also be considered for the designation. It shall be the responsibility of the individual to apply for this designation. Eligible individuals shall provide a notarized letter (hereafter referred to as “Certificate of Service”) verifying their completion of twenty or more years of service from the city, town, or department or combination thereof in which they served in order to be considered for the designation. Additionally, eligible members’ Certificate of Service shall necessarily include verification of a clean conduct record with the department in which they completed their years of service in order to become a recipient of the “Legacy Firefighter” designation.

Recipients of the “Legacy Firefighter” designation shall receive: (1) A certificate issued by the Department of Fire Services honoring them as a “Legacy Firefighter,” (2) a campaign ribbon or like insignia officially recognizing them as such, and (3) upon their passing, a medallion emblazoned with the same design as previously mentioned to be situated at their place of rest.