SECTION 1. Section 9 of chapter 150E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 1, the words “a reasonable period” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- 6 months.

SECTION 2. Said section 9 of chapter 150E, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 19, after the word “mediation” the following words:- not to exceed 6 months.

SECTION 3. Said section 9 of chapter 150E, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 22, the words “If the impasse continues after the conclusion of mediation, either” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- Either.

SECTION 4. Said section 9 of chapter 150E, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting at the end thereof the following paragraph:- The provisions of section 9A of this chapter shall not apply once a petition for a determination of the existence of an impasse is filed under this section, unless the negotiation pertains to public safety employees.

SECTION 5. Said chapter 150E, as so appearing, is hereby further amended in section 9A by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

(a) No public safety employee or public safety employee organization, or any other public employee or public employee organization prior to 6 months of negotiation over the terms of a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 9, shall engage in a strike, work stoppage, slowdown or withholding of services by such public employees.