Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H5491: An Act implementing the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report
Status: In committee, August 17, 2026
What the bill says
An Act implementing the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report. of the same, as follows.
From the introduced text, June 10, 2026:
An Act implementing the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report. of the same, as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 148 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10H the following 2 sections:- Section 10I. All certifications and training programs for cutting, welding and hot works processes shall be performed using a program approved by the state fire marshal that includes: (i) a thorough and accessible electronic database maintained by the department of fire services that can be used to check a worker's status; (ii) multi-lingual in-class offerings; (iii) identity integrity safeguards; (iv) in-person initial training; and (v) subsequent annual continued education program either online or in person. Section 10J. The department of fire services shall, in consultation with the department of occupational licensure, or any other executive agency or department deemed necessary, establish a system of public notification and recording of non-compliance with regulations and statues pertaining to cutting, welding and hot works processes. The system may include quarterly of publications, an online database, an automated notification system to alert property owners and communication with insurance companies. SECTION 2. Said chapter 148 is hereby further amended by striking out section 34 and inserting in place thereof the following section:- Section 34. (a) Except as otherwise provided, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be liable …
Sponsors
- Daniel Ryan (D, 2nd Suffolk)
- Marcus Vaughn (R)
- John Marsi (R, 6th Worcester)
- Christopher Flanagan (D)
- Puppolo, Jr., Angelo J. (D, 12th Hampden)
- Steven Xiarhos (R, 5th Barnstable)
- Paul McMurtry (D, 11th Norfolk)
- Patrick Kearney (D, 4th Plymouth)
- Dennis Gallagher (D)
- Rodney Elliott (D)
- McGonagle, Jr., Joseph W. (D, 28th Middlesex)
- Michael Soter (R, 8th Worcester)
Latest actions
- : Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading
- : Read third and passed to be engrossed
- : Taken out of the Orders of the Day
- : Ordered to a third reading
- : Amended by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of S3251
- : Read second
- : Rules suspended
- : Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of S3251
- : Read; and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- : Passed to be engrossed - 156 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 212)
Votes
- Committee Vote - Senate Committee on Ways and Means (August 10, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed to be engrossed (June 10, 2026): 156 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H5491?
- H5491 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act implementing the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report.
- What does H5491 do?
- In its own words: An Act implementing the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report. of the same, as follows.
- What is the status of H5491?
- In committee as of August 17, 2026. Latest action: Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading (August 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored H5491?
- Daniel Ryan (D, 2nd Suffolk), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H5491?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5491
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.