Property tax exemption

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bruce Bannister and 15 co-sponsors

Designates the last full week in April as Building Trades Recovery Week to raise awareness of opioids and mental health in Massachusetts’ construction industry through a yearly governor’s proclamation.

Referred to Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: House Bill No. 3358 (H 3358) — An Act Establishing Building Trades Recovery Week

Purpose and intent

The bill would designate the last full week in April each year as Building Trades Recovery Week in Massachusetts.

The Governor would annually issue a proclamation to establish this observance.

The aim is to promote awareness of opioid and substance misuse dangers among construction industry workers, facilitate discussions and events to combat the opioid epidemic, and promote mental health within the building construction sector.

Key provisions

Insertion of a new statutory section (Section 15JJJJJJ) into Chapter 6 of the General Laws.

The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation designating the last week in April as Building Trades Recovery Week.

The designation is intended to be used by the Buildings Trades Employers Association to promote awareness and to facilitate discussions and events addressing:

Dangers of opioids and substance misuse among construction workers.
Efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth’s building construction industry.
Promotion of mental health within the industry.

Who would be affected

Construction workers and workers in the building trades across Massachusetts.

Employers and associations within the building trades, notably the Building Trades Employers Association, which would engage in promoting awareness and organizing events.

State and local agencies and stakeholders involved in public health, mental health, and workplace safety initiatives may interface with the observance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Status: Read second and ordered to a third reading (as of the provided status).

Legislative actions timeline (selected):

Referred to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight (2025-02-27).
Senate concurred (2025-02-27).
Hearing scheduled (June 24, 2025) with a hearing notice.
Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling (2025-10-06).
Committee reported and actions leading to placement on the Orders of the Day; Rules suspended; read second and ordered to a third reading (2025-11-03).

Related materials: Similar matter filed previously (House No. 3058 of 2023-2024); related HD 1080 (replaces) reference.

No explicit appropriation or funding authorization is included in the bill text; it creates a ceremonial/observance framework via a gubernatorial proclamation.

Context and implications

The bill emphasizes public health and workplace well-being within the construction industry, linking opioid misuse prevention and mental health to a formal, recurring observance.

It relies on voluntary involvement by the Building Trades Employers Association and does not establish funding or mandatory program requirements.

The measure is largely symbolic but could provide a structured annual platform for awareness campaigns, training, and community discussions related to substance use and mental health in the building trades.

If you would like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize potential budgetary or regulatory implications, or compare it to similar observances in other states.