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S 1358

Proscribes persons, firms or corporations engaged in retail business of selling firearms from selling, delivering or transferring child operated firearms

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 3 co-sponsors

Mass. public construction contracts require trade contractors to join approved apprenticeship programs and hire registered apprentices, with certification to the Attorney General.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 1358

Note on inconsistencies
- The metadata you provided (bill title about “proscribing sale of child operated firearms,” sponsors including U.S. Senators, and some legislative actions) conflicts with the actual bill text attached, which is a Massachusetts state bill titled “An Act relative to apprenticeship programs” (Senate No. 1358) and amends Massachusetts General Laws (chapters 23, 30, 149, 149A). This summary follows and explains the bill text (apprenticeship-related measures).

Purpose
- To require trade contractors and subcontractors on certain public construction contracts in Massachusetts to participate in or maintain approved apprenticeship programs and to employ registered apprentices on those contracts, and to set minimal evidence of apprenticeship program effectiveness.

Key provisions
- Scope and trigger:
- Applies to requests for bids or proposals issued more than 90 days after this law becomes effective.
- Extends applicability in chapter 149 (section 44D) to contracts for construction/reconstruction/installation/demolition/maintenance/repair of any building subject to sections 26–27D of chapter 149, regardless of whether the project otherwise falls under sections 44A–44H.

  • Apprenticeship participation requirement:

    • All trade contractors and subcontractors on covered contracts must, within 30 calendar days of contract award, maintain or participate in an apprenticeship training program that is either:
    • Registered/approved under Massachusetts law (sections 11E–11W of chapter 23), or
    • A U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program (29 C.F.R. §29).
    • Contractors/subcontractors must employ apprentices registered through those programs on the contract for its duration.

  • Program quality/eligibility benchmark:

    • For sections added to chapter 149 and chapter 149A: effective January 1, 2025, an apprenticeship program is eligible under this law only if it has graduated apprentices to journeyworker status in at least 3 of the past 5 years.
    • For the amendment to chapter 30, section 39M: the analogous eligibility date is January 1, 2027.

  • Documentation and certification:

    • Within 45 calendar days of contract award, each contractor/subcontractor must provide written certification of compliance and documentation identifying the apprenticeship program it uses to the Attorney General.

Who is affected
- Trade contractors and subcontractors bidding on and performing covered public building/construction contracts in Massachusetts.
- Registered apprenticeship programs (Massachusetts- or DOL-registered) that may be engaged to meet compliance.
- Public owners and procurement officials who issue affected bids/RFPs and must enforce or verify compliance.
- Potentially unions, training agents, and workforce development entities involved in apprenticeship delivery.

Timing and implementation
- The statute applies to bids/RFPs issued more than 90 days after the act’s effective date.
- Program eligibility benchmarks become effective Jan 1, 2025 (chapter 149/149A changes) and Jan 1, 2027 (chapter 30 change).
- Contractors must enroll in/identify programs within 30 days of award and certify within 45 days.

Enforcement and penalties
- The bill requires certification to the Attorney General but does not specify penalties in the text provided; enforcement mechanisms beyond certification are not detailed.

Potential impacts (brief)
- Increases use of registered apprentices on public construction projects, supporting workforce development and on-the-job training.
- May favor established apprenticeship programs (those with recent graduates), potentially limiting new/younger programs’ eligibility.
- Raises compliance and administrative requirements for contractors and subcontractors—particularly smaller firms that lack apprenticeship relationships.
- Could affect bidding costs and contractor selection practices; procurement offices will need to verify program participation and certifications.

Procedural status
- Bill text filed Jan 7, 2025 (Senate No. 1358). The copy you provided lists status entries including “REFERRED TO CODES” and other committee actions; these items appear inconsistent with the Commonwealth (state) sponsors listed in the bill text. Confirm current procedural status with the Massachusetts legislative docket for Senate No. 1358 (2025–2026) for the most recent actions.

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

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