How I Voted: Preventing Workplace Fires and Protecting Workers and First Responders

Bill: H.5491, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report and S.1646, An Act Relative to Violation of Regulation Regarding Hot Work

Processes

Date of Vote: June 10, 2026

What Problem Was This Bill Trying to Solve?

“Hot works” are activities that involve heat, sparks, or flames, including welding, cutting, and other processes commonly used at construction and industrial worksites. When proper safety procedures are not followed, these activities can cause devastating fires that endanger workers, the public, and first responders.

This legislation responds to the recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission, which was created after a tragic nine-alarm fire caused by unpermitted welding work resulted in the deaths of Boston Fire Department Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy.

The goal of this legislation is to prevent similar tragedies by improving training, accountability, transparency, and enforcement of hot work safety requirements.

What Does the Bill Do?

• Establishes stronger penalties for violations involving cutting, welding, and hot work processes. 

• Increases penalties for reckless violations of state building and fire codes that cause serious injury or death. 

• Requires standardized training and certification programs for workers performing hot work. 

• Creates stronger systems to verify worker certifications and maintain accurate records. 

• Requires multilingual training opportunities and ongoing education requirements. 

• Creates a public database to track violations and improve transparency. 

• Allows enforcement agencies to notify property owners and insurance companies about safety violations. 

• Improves coordination between the Department of Fire Services, the Division of Occupational Licensure, and local code enforcement officials. 

How I Voted

I voted YES.

Why I Voted This Way

Public safety is one of the core responsibilities of government. As a former Army Special Forces medic and current Judge Advocate in the Massachusetts National Guard, I understand that safety often depends on preparation, training, and accountability before an emergency occurs.

The deaths of Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy were a tragic reminder that unsafe workplace practices can have consequences far beyond a single job site. When proper safety procedures are ignored, workers, members of the public, and first responders can all be placed at risk.

This legislation takes a commonsense approach by strengthening training requirements, improving enforcement, and ensuring that those responsible for dangerous violations are held accountable. Prevention is always preferable to responding after a tragedy has occurred.

I supported this legislation because protecting workers and first responders requires more than recognizing risks after the fact. It requires establishing clear standards, ensuring compliance, and giving safety officials the tools they need to protect our communities.

You can read the full press release here.