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S 1317

An Act relative to suicide prevention signage at construction site workplaces

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Massachusetts bill mandates suicide prevention signage with crisis hotline numbers at construction site workplaces to address elevated worker suicide rates.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 1317

Legislative bill overview

S 1317 requires construction site workplaces in Massachusetts to display suicide prevention signage in visible locations. The bill mandates that signs include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number and other crisis resources accessible to workers on job sites.

Why is this important

Construction workers face significantly elevated suicide rates compared to the general population, making workplace-based intervention and resource awareness potentially life-saving. Mandatory signage creates a low-cost, passive intervention that could reach vulnerable workers during high-stress periods and connect them with immediate professional support.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and compliance burden: Determining who bears costs for signage production, placement, and maintenance across Massachusetts construction sites, particularly for small contractors
  • Effectiveness questions: Debate over whether signage alone meaningfully reduces suicide risk versus need for comprehensive mental health programs, training, and workplace culture changes
  • Scope and enforcement: Unclear how the requirement applies to different site sizes, types of construction, temporary versus permanent sites, and how violations would be enforced

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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