The proposed bill aims to establish a framework for the recall of elected officials in the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts. It allows registered voters to initiate a recall petition against any elected officer, provided certain conditions are met. Specifically, a recall petition cannot be filed within four months of an officer taking office, nor can it be initiated if the officer has recently faced a recall election and was not removed. The bill outlines the process for gathering signatures, requiring a minimum of 1,800 signatures for citywide elected officials and 300 signatures from the respective ward for ward-elected officials. The petition must be filed within 45 days of receiving the necessary forms, and the board of election commissioners is responsible for certifying the validity of the signatures.

If the petition is certified, the city council must notify the officer in question and, if the officer does not resign within five days, a recall election will be scheduled. The election must occur within 45 to 70 days after certification, unless another city election is imminent. The bill stipulates that a recall election will only be valid if at least 15% of registered voters participate. Additionally, it prohibits any officer who has been recalled from running for or being appointed to fill any vacancy created by their recall. The act will take effect immediately upon passage.