SENATE DOCKET, NO. 959        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael F. Rush

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to fire safety.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 959        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to fire safety.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 81 of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 13 by inserting the following after the words “twenty-two.”:-

“Direct supervision” for the purpose of work on a fire protection sprinkler system shall mean the physical on-site presence with the assigned apprentice and their supervising journeyman or fire protection sprinkler contractor.”

SECTION 2. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 2 by striking the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following: “their”

SECTION 3. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 4 by striking the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following: “they”;

SECTION 4. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 6 by striking the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following: “their”;

SECTION 5. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 7 by striking the word “he is” and inserting in place thereof the following: “they are”;

SECTION 6. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 7 by striking the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following: “their”;

SECTION 7. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 8 by striking the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following: “their”;

SECTION 8. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 10 by striking the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following: “them”;

SECTION 9. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting in line 14 after the word “fitter.” the following:-

“Direct supervision” for the purposes of this section shall mean the physical on-site presence with the assigned apprentice and their supervising journeyman or fire protection sprinkler contractor while conducting work on a fire protection sprinkler system.”

SECTION 10. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the following in lines 14-16:-

“A fire protection sprinkler contractor may employ one or more apprentices but not more than one apprentice may be so employed for each journeyman sprinkler fitter.”

SECTION 11. Section 85A of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting in line 14 after the word “fitter” the following:- “The ratio permitted shall be one licensed journeyman sprinkler fitter or fire protection sprinkler contractor for every apprentice sprinkler fitter on the jobsite.”

SECTION 12. Section 89 of Chapter 146 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended in line 4 after the word “eighty-one” by inserting the following:- “including sections eighty-four through eighty-six,”.