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SD 3875

Division of Occupational Licensure FY24 Annual Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill requires the DOL to publish an FY24 annual report detailing its licensing, enforcement, and public-safety activities across all boards and programs.

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Bill Summary · SD 3875

Summary of Bill SD 3875 (Session 194th) — Division of Occupational Licensure FY24 Annual Report

Note: This document provides a plain-language overview of the bill as presented, focusing on purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and timelines. It reflects the FY24 Annual Report content issued by the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL).

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The bill requires the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) to prepare and submit an annual report detailing its activities for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), which covers July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
  • The report aims to inform the General Court and the public about the agency’s accomplishments, initiatives, and data on licensing, compliance, and enforcement activities.
  • It highlights major agency initiatives, including regulatory updates, technology modernization, leadership updates, and public safety efforts.

2) Key Provisions and Highlights

The FY24 Annual Report outlines several substantive items:

  • Agency Governance and Leadership

    • Introduction of new senior management hires across DOL’s divisions (Public Safety Inspections, Technology, Office of Special Projects, etc.).
    • Emphasis on the Division’s role in public safety, consumer protection, and economic development.

  • Regulatory and Code Initiatives

    • Progress on the promulgation of the 10th Edition of the State Building Code (780 CMR), including:
    • Three public hearings in February 2024.
    • Review of comments and final vote to approve the draft on May 14, 2024.

  • Technology Modernization

    • Initiation of a cross-agency technology modernization project.
    • Award of a multi-year contract to Accenture.
    • Introduction of the integrated licensing system named eLIPSE, intended to unify DOL’s three existing licensing platforms and connect Access databases and related resources to a single platform.
    • Goals of eLIPSE include streamlined processes for licensees, consumers, and DOL staff.

  • Organizational and Staffing Developments

    • Addition of new executive leadership and public safety staff (Elevator and Building & Engineering inspections units) and staff in the Office of Investigations and other leadership roles (Executive Directors for boards/licensing oversight).

  • Public Safety and Inspections

    • DOL roles in safeguarding health, safety, and welfare through inspections, investigations, and enforcement across boards and programs.

  • Agency Operations and Service Delivery

    • Welcome Center metrics: 11,024 walk-in visitors in FY24 (sum of 9,601 walk-ins, 5,312 renewals, 3,357 licensing issues, etc.), with breakdowns of activities such as renewals and name/address changes.
    • Overview of licensing landscape:
    • DOL oversees 26 boards and multiple programs licensing over 500,000 individuals and businesses in roughly 100 trades/professions.
    • Private Occupational Schools oversight (Office of Private Occupational School Education, OS).
    • Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) divisions, including Elevator, Building & Engineering, and Regulated Activities.
    • Data and performance metrics:
    • FY2024 license counts and new licenses issued by board/division (e.g., Cosmetology and Barbering: 96,138 licenses, 5,958 new; Electricians: 43,140 licenses, 1,597 new; Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons: 81,321 licenses, 3,648 new; etc.).
    • Complaints opened/received and closed by board/division (e.g., Cosmetology and Barbering: 156 opened, 143 closed; Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons: 221 opened, 247 closed; Elevator Division: 20 opened, 0 closed in OPSI tables).
    • Disciplinary actions by board/division (e.g., Electricians: 92 actions; Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons: 122 actions; Massage Therapy: 58 actions; Plumbers and Gas Fitters: 96 actions).
    • Enforcement outcomes:
    • Investigations led to numerous actions including fines, license revocations, suspensions, probation, and other sanctions.
    • Top boards by disciplinary actions include Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons, Plumbers and Gas Fitters, Electricians, Massage Therapy, and Embalming & Funeral Directing.

3) Who is Affected

  • Licensees and license applicants across more than 100 trades and professions regulated by DOL boards.
  • Private occupational schools (OS) operating in Massachusetts.
  • Consumers who rely on licensed professionals and who interact with DOL via the Welcome Center, investigations, and enforcement processes.
  • Businesses and individuals subject to enforcement actions, disciplinary measures, or Code changes (e.g., building code adopters and builders due to 10th Edition Building Code).
  • Public safety and inspection staff, and entities affected by OPSI operations.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Fiscal Year Coverage: FY24 runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
  • Building Code: The 10th Edition of the State Building Code (780 CMR) underwent a multi-step process in FY24, including public hearings in February 2024 and a final vote to approve in May 2024.
  • Technology Project Timeline: The eLIPSE modernization project commenced in FY24 with a contract awarded to Accenture for a multi-year rollout, integrating licensing systems and data resources.
  • Reporting Purpose: The bill requires the DOL to compile and present data on licenses issued, complaints opened/closed, disciplinary actions, and other operational metrics for accountability and public transparency.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to highlight specific boards, programs, or performance metrics (e.g., focusing only on enforcement outcomes or only on licensing trends).

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

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