Massachusetts requires apprenticeship labor percentages on public construction projects over $1 million

Original title: An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensuring for a skilled workforce in the commonwealth of Massachusetts

Last action · May 18, 2026: Accompanied a new draft, see S3076Sponsors: Lydia Edwards and 13 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Massachusetts requires contractors and subcontractors on public construction projects valued over one million dollars to use registered apprentices for a rising percentage of total work hours, starting at 5% and increasing to 15% over two years.

Why it matters

Construction contractors and subcontractors bidding on public projects must adjust their workforce staffing to meet mandatory apprentice hour thresholds, affecting labor deployment and compliance reporting.

Background

The bill was filed by Senator Lydia Edwards in the 194th session of the Massachusetts General Court. context
State prevailing wage laws dictate baseline compensation rates for workers employed on public construction contracts across Massachusetts. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

contractors

Must ensure that a rising percentage of trade hours on public projects over one million dollars are performed by registered apprentices.

Directly affected

subcontractors

Must comply with mandatory apprentice hour quotas and staffing ratios on applicable public construction sites.

Directly affected

apprentices

Key Facts

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which construction projects are subject to these apprentice requirements?

Projects valued over one million dollars where employees are subject to the and directly employed on the site by a contractor or subcontractor.

How do the mandatory apprentice hour percentages phase in over time?

The requirement starts at 5% of total hours six months after passage, increases to 10% after one year, and reaches 15% after two years.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

6 actions

May 18, 2026Senate
Accompanied a new draft, see S3076
Apr 30, 2026Senate
Reporting date extended to Thursday July 30, 2026
Feb 25, 2026Senate
Reporting date extended to Tuesday March 3, 2026
May 22, 2025Joint
Hearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 11:00 AM-01:00 PM in B-1
Feb 27, 2025House
House concurred
Feb 27, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred to the committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Version history

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