H 5491 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act implementing the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report

This bill updates Massachusetts laws to improve safety training and enforcement for workers involved in cutting, welding, and hot works processes. It requires state-approved training programs that include digital verification systems, multilingual instruction, and ongoing education, while also creating a public record of non-compliance that alerts property owners and insurers. The legislation significantly increases penalties for violations, raising fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenders and introducing potential prison time, and it establishes stricter criminal charges for reckless actions that result in serious injury or death.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2026
Committee Review
Aug 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Aug 2026
Governor
Introduced Jun 10, 2026 Last action Aug 17, 2026
Floor votes · House Jun 10, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Aug 17, 2026
Committee
Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading
lower
Aug 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third and passed to be engrossed
upper
Aug 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of S3251
upper
Aug 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of S3251
upper
Jun 11, 2026
Committee
Read; and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
upper
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed to be engrossed - 156 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 212 )
lower
Jun 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
0 primary · 41 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.