THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026 Page 3 MASS HOUSE | FROM Page 1 cutting jobs, Massachusetts must lead. The PATHS Act reaffirms our commitment to workers’ rights, to a skilled and diverse workforce, and to multiple pathways to goodpaying, family-sustaining careers,” Representative Marjorie C. Decker (D-Cambridge), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health and main sponsor of the bill. “One of the most eff ective ways to reduce poverty is to ensure that people are paid wages that are sustainable and aligned with the real cost of living.” “This legislation is about building the future of Massachusetts from the ground up,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere). “By expanding access to apprenticeships on major public construction projects, we are creating real pathways into the trades, strengthening our union workforce, and ensuring that the next generation has the skills needed to meet our community’s growing infrastructure demands.” “I was thrilled to vote for this important bill. Opening building trade jobs and training opportunities for today’s youth is critical to strengthening our Commonwealth, our communities and our families. Apprenticeships represent an opportunity for upward economic mobility. This legislation will reap benefi ts for years to come. A win for the working class,” said State Representative Jeff rey Rosario Turco (D. Winthrop). Public agencies must require, as a condition of awarding a construction contract over $10 million for any public works, that all construction managers, general contractors and subcontractors maintain or participate in an apprentice program, approved by the Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS), for each apprenticeable occupation represented in their workforce. Construction managers, general contractors and subcontractors must register all apprentices with DAS and comply with applicable apprentice-to-journeyperson ratios established by a trades licensing board or the Division. The bill provides for an exemption upon a written determination by the public agency that, after good-faith solicitation, no qualifi ed and responsible bidder maintaining or participating in an apprentice program is reasonably available for a specifi c trade or scope of work. Any construction manager, general contractor and subcontractor who fails to maintain or participate in an apprentice program and is not exempt cannot be deemed a responsible and eligible bidder. The bill also requires prevailing wage payments by employers to include apprenticeship programs approved by DAS within Executive Offi ce of Labor and Workforce Development and operated in compliance with DAS. The bill establishes a Special Commission on Apprenticeships to study and make recommendations on the development, accessibility, quality, funding and utilization of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across all industry sectors. The bill passed the House of Representatives 154-1 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. Jessica Ann Giannino State Representative Jeff rey Rosario Turco State Representative Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at:WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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