Prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for confronting an individual to prevent a theft or the unlawful taking of goods, wares, or merchandise

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mario Mattera

Designates specific road segments as the “General Lafayette Trail” and requires the state to install and maintain markers to promote historic recognition and local tourism.

REFERRED TO LABOR

Purpose / Intent

This bill designates specified segments of state highways and local roads in central Massachusetts as the "General Lafayette Trail" and directs the Department of Highways to install and maintain appropriate markers. The designation is commemorative and intended to recognize and promote the historic route associated with the Marquis de Lafayette.

Key provisions

Amends Chapter 29 of the Acts of 1997 by inserting a paragraph that designates the following roadway segments as the “General Lafayette Trail”:

Massachusetts Route 9: beginning in Belchertown and continuing easterly to the intersection with Route 32 in Ware.
Massachusetts Route 32: beginning in Ware and continuing easterly to the intersection with Route 9 (East Street).
Massachusetts Route 9: beginning in Ware and continuing easterly to the intersection with Stafford Street in Worcester.
Massachusetts Route 20: beginning in Fiskdale at the intersection with Holland Road and continuing easterly to the intersection with Route 131 in Sturbridge.
Massachusetts Route 20: beginning in Sturbridge at the intersection with Hall Road and continuing easterly to the intersection with Stafford Street.
Stafford Street: beginning in Sturbridge at the intersection with Massachusetts Route 20 and continuing northeasterly to the intersection with Main Street in Worcester.

Directs the Department of Highways to erect and maintain suitable markers bearing the “General Lafayette Trail” designation.

Who is affected

Municipalities along the designated route: Belchertown, Ware, Sturbridge (including Fiskdale), and Worcester.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation / Department of Highways (responsible for signage installation and maintenance).

Local residents, businesses, historical groups, and tourists (potential benefit from historical recognition and wayfinding).

Motorists (informational signage only; the bill does not change traffic laws or roadway jurisdiction).

Fiscal and practical impact

Primarily symbolic; direct fiscal impact is limited to the cost of designing, producing, installing, and maintaining signage. Those costs would fall to the Department of Highways (state funds).

No changes to road ownership, maintenance responsibility (other than sign upkeep), speed limits, or traffic control are included.

Legislative status and notes

Filed as Senate Docket No. 236 / Senate No. 2382 on 1/9/2025 and presented by Senator Peter J. Durant (Worcester and Hampshire).

The provided materials list several procedural entries (referrals and hearing dates); some entries are inconsistent. A hearing is noted as scheduled for 11/04/2025 (A-2). Consult the Massachusetts Legislature’s official website or committee records for the most current status and committee assignment.

Bottom line

S.2382 is a commemorative designation bill that names specific stretches of Routes 9, 20, 32 and Stafford Street the “General Lafayette Trail” and requires state highway authorities to install and maintain signage. It is intended to promote historical recognition and local tourism with limited, mostly one-time state costs for markers.

Bill