Bill
SD 2109
Mandates Spanish-language written and practical exams for hoisting operator licensure, expanding access for Spanish speakers and potentially improving safety and compliance.
Status and procedural context
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Senate Docket: No. 2109; Presented by Sen. Paul R. Feeney
- Legislative actions: Referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (2025-02-27); House concurred on the same date
- Classification: Proposed bill advancing in the 2025-2026 General Court; similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 (Senate No. 168)
Purpose
- To expand access to licensure for hoisting machinery operators by ensuring examination opportunities are available in Spanish, in addition to English.
Key provisions
- Section 65 (current framework amended):
- Licensure process: An applicant for a hoisting operator license must apply to the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL). If the licensure criteria established by the Commissioner per section 53 are met, the applicant must pass a written or practical examination, or both, under regulations. A license is issued upon passing the applicable examination(s) and may be revoked or penalized licenses require both written and practical exams before a subsequent license is issued. Each license includes a photograph.
- Language access: The DOL must provide both written and practical examinations in English and Spanish for hoisting operator applicants, provided the applicant meets the licensure criteria described above.
Who would be affected
- Spanish-speaking applicants seeking hoisting machinery operator licenses, who would now have exam access in Spanish.
- Current licensees who have been revoked or penalized under the related provisions and seek to obtain a subsequent license (subject to passing the required examinations in the specified languages).
- The Division of Occupational Licensure as the administering agency, plus examiners and testing administrators responsible for bilingual testing.
Implementation and timeline considerations
- The bill does not specify a fixed start date beyond enactment; implementation would require the DOL to develop or translate and administer both written and practical examinations in Spanish.
- Administrative considerations include bilingual test development, translation of regulations, and ensuring appropriate testing delivery infrastructure.
Impact and considerations
- Accessibility: Reduces language barriers for Spanish-speaking applicants, potentially expanding the pool of qualified hoisting operators.
- Safety and compliance: Clearer understanding of licensure requirements and propulsion of multilingual testing could enhance compliance and safety outcomes.
- Costs: Likely increases in cost for translation, test development, and bilingual proctoring; fiscal implications would fall to the DOL to allocate resources.
Overall, the bill enshrines language equity in hoisting licensure by mandating Spanish-language availability for both written and practical examinations, subject to meeting existing licensure criteria.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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