Labor & Employment (Professional Licensing)

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

H 5488: Amendment H.5488

This bill requires the Department of Fire Services to create a public database tracking code violations and fines related to hot work safety rules. The department must collect data on specific issues, such as individuals performing hot work without proper training certification or failing to follow permit requirements. Once established, the database will be accessible online and will automatically notify property owners and insurance companies when violations occur. This measure aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding hot work compliance without changing the underlying safety laws themselves.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workplace safety by enforcing hot work regulations and tracking violations, directly protecting workers from unsafe conditions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5021: An Act to expand the doula workforce

H 5021 creates the Maternal Health Justice Fund to expand the doula workforce in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships for doula certification (prioritizing historically marginalized groups, low-income individuals, and underserved areas), support community doula programs, and fund workforce development. It requires certification programs to teach clinical knowledge (like anatomy and labor support), health equity, anti-racism, trauma-informed care, and cultural competence. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals, birth parents, and doulas by increasing access to non-medical support during pregnancy and postpartum.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds doula certification and programs to expand maternal health services, targeting underserved communities, directly advancing healthcare access and equity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds doula certification scholarships, workforce development, and prioritizes marginalized groups in employment, directly advancing labor/employment opportunities in maternal healthcare sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 460: An Act relative to updating construction safety standards

By Representative Ryan of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 460) of Daniel J. Ryan relative to construction safety standards. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentUpdates construction safety standards, directly improving workplace safety for workers, aligning with Labor & Employment protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3905: An Act relative to updating construction safety standards

By Representative Ryan of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 460) of Daniel J. Ryan relative to construction safety standards. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill updates construction safety standards, directly improving workplace safety protections for workers in a high-risk industry, aligning with Labor & Employment indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1371: An Act establishing a board of hoisting machinery regulations

HD 1371 creates a new six-member "Board of Hoisting Machinery Regulations" within Massachusetts' Department of Labor. The board, appointed by the governor, includes a safety inspector (chair), a public utility worker, a construction contractor, a safety trainer, an OSHA expert, and a union representative with five years' experience. This board will establish licensing rules for hoisting machinery operators, including training requirements, supervision protocols for apprentices, and procedures for license issuance, renewal, denial, or revocation based on safety violations. The bill directly affects apprentice and operator license holders and the safety training industry.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates safety-focused board to set licensing/training for machinery operators, directly improving workplace safety standards per OSHA expert and union rep inclusion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4179: An Act relative to the retirement classification of licensed drinking water operators

This bill amends an existing law to include licensed drinking water operators in a specific retirement classification. It adds these operators - those certified by the Board of Certification of Drinking Water Supply Facilities under Chapter 112, Section 87CCCC - to the list of professionals covered under retirement provisions already applicable to hospital workers. The change clarifies that drinking water operators are directly affected by this retirement classification, ensuring they fall under the same system as other licensed professionals. No new benefits or requirements are created; the bill simply updates the legal description to include this group.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds drinking water operators to retirement benefits, expanding worker coverage under existing hospital worker provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4037: An Act relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes

HD 4037 requires Massachusetts' Department of Fire Services to collect data on violations related to hot work processes (like welding or cutting) under Chapter 148. This includes failures to maintain hot work training certification, performing hot work without certification, or not following permit requirements. The department must create a public database on its website containing this data and implement an automated system to notify affected property owners and insurance companies about violations. The bill directly affects businesses and property owners conducting hot work, aiming to improve safety transparency through centralized violation tracking.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates data collection on hot work safety violations and public notification, strengthening enforcement of workplace safety regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 378: An Act relative to increasing professional licensure opportunities

HD 378 expands professional licensure opportunities by restricting how licensing authorities can consider applicants' criminal records. The bill prohibits boards from factoring in non-violent misdemeanors, sealed or expunged convictions, juvenile adjudications, and most offenses older than three years (with exceptions for serious crimes like violent felonies or sex offenses). If a license denial is based on a relevant criminal record, authorities must prove public safety concerns outweigh the applicant's rights and consider rehabilitation evidence like time since the offense, completion of sentences, or community involvement. The bill also mandates annual public reporting by licensing authorities on how often criminal history leads to license denials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts use of non-violent criminal records in licensing, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands employment access by removing criminal record barriers for licensed professions, directly advancing workers' rights in employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Professional Licensing Tags Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2753: An Act relative to HVAC safety accountability and public transparency

This bill requires HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) companies and technicians in Massachusetts to be held accountable when negligence causes carbon monoxide poisoning or death. It gives the state licensing board authority to impose fines, suspend, or revoke licenses for such incidents, and mandates mandatory reviews after serious safety failures. The bill also creates a public website listing suspended or revoked licenses with details of the violations, increasing transparency. Additionally, it prohibits individuals or companies with revoked licenses from obtaining new licenses under different names without disclosing past violations. These changes directly affect HVAC professionals and companies operating in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates HVAC safety accountability, requiring licensing board enforcement for negligence causing harm, directly improving workplace safety standards for technicians and public.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4070: An Act relative to special state police officers

HD 4070 allows the state police colonel to appoint retired uniformed state police officers as "special state police officers" under specific conditions. To qualify, retired officers must have an honorable discharge, meet the colonel’s suitability standards, and obtain certification from the police training commission. These appointed officers serve as at-will employees for one-year terms (renewable at the colonel’s discretion), without civil service protections or benefits, but are treated as department members for certain purposes like liability coverage under Chapter 258. The bill directly affects retired state police personnel seeking temporary reemployment in active duty roles.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentCreates at-will positions without civil service protections or benefits, weakening worker protections for special state police officers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Public Employees Workforce Development

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