This bill requires towing facilities to notify both vehicle owners and lienholders (such as banks with a financial claim on the car) about storage costs within 7 days of towing. If the owner or lienholder doesn't respond within 21 days, the vehicle can be sold after 60 days with written notice and a public sale. Towing facilities must send this notice by registered mail and detail storage charges, with proceeds covering costs before any remaining funds being held by the court for the owner or lienholder. The law aims to ensure transparency in towing and storage fees for those with a financial stake in the vehicle.
H 4974 requires contractors working on public construction projects costing over $10 million to hire registered apprentices, phasing in minimum apprentice-hour requirements: 5% after one year, 10% after three years, and 15% after four years. It mandates that contractors maintain approved apprentice training programs and register apprentices with the state, while allowing limited waivers for specific trades if qualified bidders aren't available. The bill also establishes a new commission to study apprenticeship programs and expands a high school career pathway program for building/transportation careers. These requirements apply to all public works projects, contractors, subcontractors, and public agencies involved in qualifying construction contracts.
Order relative to authorizing the committee on Financial Services to make an investigation and study of a certain House document relative to establishing a Massachusetts Baby Bonds program
H 4978 requires cosmetology and barbering schools to include at least one hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness training in their curricula for students. It mandates the state to provide a free online training program for licensed cosmetologists and barbers, and requires shops, schools, and mobile businesses to display a multilingual sign (in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other languages as recommended) with a 24/7 hotline for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and forced labor. The bill also provides legal immunity to licensees, students, or employers who act in good faith regarding suspected domestic violence or sexual assault after completing the required training.
H 4912 proposes creating the Accessibility in the Creative Economy (ACE) grant program, which would establish a dedicated fund administered by the Office on Disability. The program would provide financial support to for-profit, non-profit, and public arts, humanities, and interpretive science organizations across Massachusetts to make physical and programmatic improvements - such as installing ramps, assistive listening systems, or accessibility training - to remove barriers for people with disabilities. A new ACE Commission, requiring majority representation from people with disabilities, would set grant criteria, prioritize racial and geographic diversity, and oversee funding distribution on a competitive basis. The bill is pending in committee and would require the Office on Disability to report annually on fund usage and grant recipients.
H 4994 requires public agencies to mandate that contractors for public construction projects exceeding $10 million in cost must include registered apprentices in their workforce. Specifically, it sets increasing minimums: starting at 5% of total hours for each trade in 2026, rising to 10% in 2027, and 15% by 2028, all performed by apprentices in programs approved by the Division of Apprentice Standards. Contractors must register apprentices with this division and maintain required apprentice-to-journeyperson ratios. Public agencies may grant limited exemptions for specific trades if no qualified bidder with an apprentice program is available, but must document and report these exemptions. The bill directly affects public agencies, construction contractors, and subcontractors working on large public projects.
H 4749 establishes a 13-member commission to study financial abuse of Massachusetts elders aged 60+ and develop policy recommendations. The commission includes representatives from both legislative chambers, elder advocacy groups, Councils on Aging, real estate associations, and financial institutions like banks and credit unions. It will specifically examine abusive lending practices, exploitative property transfers, and scams targeting seniors through telemarketing or online channels. The commission must submit a final report with policy proposals to relevant legislative committees by December 31, 2026. This bill creates a study body but does not enact new laws or funding.
Senate, January 27, 2026 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1743) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2856).
By Representative Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile relative to designating the Sky Bar as the official chocolate bar of the Commonwealth. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
By Representative Tarsky of Needham, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joshua Tarsky for legislation to establish a process to train, certify and retain high-quality educators for public schools. Education.
This bill (H 4858) updates Massachusetts expungement law by restricting access to sealed or expunged criminal records. It prohibits anyone from making these records available for inspection, including by employers or background check services, unless the information is used solely for statistical or research purposes without identifying individuals. The bill directly affects people whose records have been sealed under sections 100A, 100B, or 100C, or expunged under sections 100F, 100G, 100H, or 100K. Key changes include broadening restrictions to cover all expungement categories and clarifying that research data must not reveal personal identities. The bill is currently pending in the House committee.
H 4944 allows pharmacists to dispense insulin in emergency situations without immediate prescription authorization. It defines an "emergency situation" as one where a patient cannot quickly obtain a doctor's approval, and requires pharmacists to use their professional judgment to determine if insulin is essential to prevent harm. The bill limits emergency insulin dispensing to a 30-day supply (or standard unit size if larger) and prohibits repeat dispensing to the same patient more than once every six months. This directly affects patients facing urgent insulin needs and pharmacists who may provide this emergency care under these specific guidelines. The law amends multiple sections of state law to include this emergency access provision.
