The Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill to protect firefighters and tradespeople from conditions that took the lives of Boston Fire Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy in 2014.
The legislation creates a system to discourage unauthorized and untrained welding and other ‘hot work,’ which caused the Back Bay fire in 2014. S.1646, An Act relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes, helps prevent such fires by keeping tabs on violations of state law. Following recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission, convened following the tragedy, the bill requires consistent tracking and notification of hot work code violations.
“The data that will be collected as a result of this bill will help to identify and prevent another tragedy like the one that claimed the lives of Boston Fire Department Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I would like to thank Chairman Cahill and Chairman Ryan, my colleagues in the House, and our partners in the Senate for working to get this critical legislation to the Governor’s desk for her signature.”
“The enactment of S.1646 in the House of Representatives is another important step in the regulation of the hot work processes, derived from the Walsh-Kennedy Commission. Adding this requirement to the Department of Fire Services in developing and maintaining a public database of those who are non-compliant with fire prevention laws, rules, and regulations is a valuable tool in the safety and well-being of both Firefighters and professional tradespeople,” said Representative Daniel J. Ryan (D-Charleston), sponsor of the legislation and co-Chair of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission. “I want to thank Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, and Chair Cahill for all of their efforts in bringing this bill to enactment. I also want to thank the PFFM and Local 718 for all of their continued advocacy.”
The bill would require the state Department of Fire Services to track code violations related to hot work—welding, plasma cutting, and spark-producing construction—and make the information publicly available through an online database. A new automated notification system would also alert affected property owners and insurance companies in order to help prevent tragedies. Similar legislation, The Walsh-Kennedy Bill, sponsored by Ryan would take these regulations even further; that bill also passed the House and is still being worked on between the two chambers
Ryan was able to pass these bills through the House with unanimous votes following an emotional speech from the floor.:
“Lt. Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy didn’t ask how the fire started, they didn’t ask if about permits when the bell rang, they jumped into action because that is what they were trained to do. They followed their training; they followed their best practices. Somebody else went to work that day and didn’t follow theirs. This bill further enforces that all workers in a dangerous business, such as welding, should pay the same due diligence, adhere to the same industry standards and the MA fire code.”
Ryan thanked his many colleagues who helped to craft the final legislation and shepherd it through the committee process and to the House Floor.
“This legislation ensures our state proactively addresses workplace safety failures, so residents and first responders alike aren’t exposed to unnecessary danger,” said Senator John J. Cronin (D-Fitchburg), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
“While we can never undo the profound loss of Lieutenant Edward Walsh Jr. and Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy, we can honor their sacrifice by ensuring that the lessons learned from that tragic day are not forgotten,” said Representative Daniel Cahill (D-Lynn), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “This legislation advances training, accountability, and transparency to better protect workers, firefighters, and the public from preventable fires caused by unsafe hot work practices. By strengthening oversight of hot work certifications, permits, and violations, we can help identify risks earlier and prevent future tragedies.”
“This legislation is another important tool in protecting the safety of residents, firefighters and trades workers across the Commonwealth,” said Representative David Biele (D-Boston), co-sponsor of the legislation. “Collecting statewide data regarding fire code violations and non-compliance with fire prevention laws and hot works requirements in a publicly available database combined with an automated notification system for relevant property owners will increase public safety.”
“I am grateful to the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Boston Firefighters Local 718, whose advocacy never wavered throughout this process,” said Senator Nick Collins (D-South Boston), lead sponsor of the legislation and co-Chair of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission. “In the wake of an unimaginable loss, they remained committed to ensuring that future firefighters, tradespeople, and workers would be better protected. This legislation is the result of that commitment, as well as the collaborative work of my colleagues in the Senate and House. While it was born from tragedy, it leaves behind a lasting legacy, one that will help save lives and make workplaces safer for years to come.”
Both branches of the Legislature enacted, S.1646, the “Hot Works” bill and sent it to Governor Healey for her signature. It was signed by the Governor on Friday, June 26th as Chapter 114 of the Acts of 2026.