Thursday, September 17, 2026, 10 a.m. (Boston time), Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
Hearing on Docket #1541
Committee: Government Operations Committee
The Government Operations Committee, chaired by Councilor Coletta Zapata, held a second hearing on Docket 1541, an ordinance sponsored by Councilors Santana and Louijeune that would set up a city permit and training framework for unarmed security guards, requiring 40 hours of initial training through a city-certified nonprofit provider and 8 hours each year after that, paid for by employers. An industry panel from Allied Universal, two Black-owned security firms and the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals said they support training but opposed the ordinance as drafted, objecting to the ban on employer-provided training, the 40-hour requirement, costs to small businesses, penalties and the implementation timeline; they suggested letting employers attest to meeting minimum standards, or starting with city employees. A 32BJ SEIU panel of union staff, guards and a trainer supported the ordinance, describing minimal or online-only training on the job and saying certified in-person training would be transferable between employers. Letters were read from Councilor Culpepper, who opposes the ordinance in its current form, and from Councilor Durkan, who expressed concerns, and seven people gave public testimony. The chair said working sessions will follow, and the docket remains in committee.
0:07 and.
0:31 the.
1:45 Number.
7:04 And.
7:29 The.
14:01 And.
14:25 The.
18:00 Good morning everybody.
18:01 Happy to be here.
18:03 For the record my name is
18:04 gabrielle collette is the
18:05 district one city councilor and
18:06 I'm the chair of the boston
18:07 city council committee on
18:11 government operations today's
18:12 SEPTEMBER 17th 2026.
18:15 The exact time is 10:18 A.M.
18:16 This hearing is being recorded.
18:18 It is also being live streamed
18:21 at boston.Gov/city council dash
18:24 tv and broadcast on xfinity
18:26 channel eight, rcn channel 82
18:30 and fios channel 964 written
18:31 comments MAY be sent to the
18:33 committee email at
18:35 kgo@boston.Gov and will be made
18:36 a part of the record and
18:37 available to all councilors.
18:39 Public testimony will be taken
18:40 at the end of this hearing.
18:42 Individuals will be called on
18:44 in order in the order in which
18:45 they signed up and we'll have
18:45 two minutes to testify.
18:47 If you are interested in
18:49 testifying in person, please
18:50 add your name to the sign up
18:51 sheet near the entrance of the
18:51 chamber.
18:53 If you're looking to testify
18:55 virtually, please email our
18:59 central staff liaison megan at
19:00 amiga and echo.
19:06 Are yugi d o m a r t I
19:07 n@boston.Gov for the link in
19:09 your name will be added to the
19:09 list.
19:12 Today's hearing is on docket
19:12 1541.
19:14 an ordinance establishing
19:15 minimum training and training
19:16 requirements for unarmed
19:17 security guards.
19:19 This matter was sponsored by
19:20 councilors henry santana and
19:21 rosie louijeune and was
19:24 referred to the committee on
19:25 AUGUST 5th 2026.
19:26 Today I am joined by my
19:29 colleagues in order of arrival
19:30 I think it was councilor ed
19:31 flynn because he's the first
19:32 one every single time.
19:33 So councilor at flynn, thank
19:34 you so much for being here and
19:36 the lead sponsor
19:37 councilor santana and I know
19:38 that we'll be joined by
19:39 council louijeune shortly but
19:41 for now I will go to opening
19:44 remarks and lead with the
19:45 original co-sponsor
19:46 councilor santana and
19:47 councilor twin council santana
19:48 you have before.
19:49 Awesome.
19:50 good morning.
19:51 Thank you.
19:52 Um chair called us about that.
19:54 Um and thank you everyone for
19:55 being here this morning.
19:57 Unarmed security guards serve a
19:59 vital role in boston's public
20:00 safety infrastructure.
20:02 Every day they protect people
20:03 and property and our health
20:05 care facilities, residential
20:07 buildings, colleges and public
20:08 spaces.
20:09 They are often the first to
20:10 respond when someone is
20:11 experiencing a medical
20:13 emergency, a mental health
20:15 crisis and other urgent
20:15 situations.
20:17 They also regularly work with
20:18 individuals battling
20:20 homelessness and substance use
20:20 disorders.
20:23 i was a security guard myself
20:25 and the only kind of training I
20:26 received was when I was on my
20:28 first day when I was chaperoned
20:29 by someone.
20:31 After that I was left on my own
20:33 to handle any type of situation
20:35 that might come up despite all
20:36 the important responsibilities
20:37 that came up.
20:39 There are currently no training
20:40 requirements for unarmed
20:41 security guards in boston at
20:43 the state or local level.
20:45 These professionals are
20:46 expected to make quick
20:48 decisions, de-escalate
20:49 conflicts and respond to
20:50 emergencies.
20:52 Yet many have not received any
20:54 training to prepare them for
20:56 these situations and might have
20:57 only been in the job for a few
20:58 weeks.
20:59 Establishing these training
21:01 standards is about investing in
21:02 both worker safety and public
21:03 safety.
21:05 I appreciate the concerns I
21:06 have heard from many
21:07 stakeholders in the community
21:09 as well as from business owners
21:10 regarding the current language
21:12 of this ordinance.
21:13 This hearing provides an
21:14 opportunity for all
21:15 stakeholders to share their
21:15 feedback.
21:17 We want to ensure that everyone
21:18 is included in these
21:20 conversations and that we are
21:21 aligned as we move forward.
21:23 Our goal is to pass legislation
21:24 that is appropriate for this
21:25 moment and reflects the needs
21:27 and concerns of our community.
21:29 I understand and appreciate the
21:31 objections that I that I have
21:34 heard about, um, the timeline
21:36 and roadmap towards the
21:37 implementation along with what
21:39 some of you shared on how you
21:41 can conduct your training from
21:42 for your own security
21:43 personnel.
21:44 I am looking forward to the
21:46 discussion today and um
21:48 charting a path seeing a path
21:50 forward by investing in the
21:52 people who are often on the
21:53 first to respond.
21:54 We are investing in safer
21:56 workspaces and a safer boston
21:56 for everyone.
21:57 thank you councilor santana.
22:00 Councilor flynn, you know how
22:00 the floor.
22:03 Thank you MADAM Chair and thank
22:07 you to the panel for being here
22:09 for the public testimony that
22:10 we're going to hear from as
22:11 well.
22:13 Um, before before I begin and
22:15 I'll just have very brief
22:15 comments.
22:18 Um, I am going to be leaving
22:21 this meeting in a few minutes.
22:24 Um, but hopefully I'm back by
22:24 1130.
22:26 I do have an appointment that I
22:27 do have to make.
22:29 Um, but it is my plan to be
22:31 back by 1130 for the remainder
22:32 of the meeting.
22:36 Um, but what what I wanted to
22:37 highlight in my opening
22:41 statement is the important role
22:42 security and, um, security
22:44 guards play in our city.
22:47 Yes, we need training.
22:49 We need to support support them
22:51 but we also need to support a
22:53 lot of small businesses
22:55 security businesses that um,
22:57 hire a lot of people especially
22:59 businesses owned by people
23:00 of color as well.
23:04 My my challenge or goal is to
23:06 see how we're able to work
23:10 together for language in this
23:12 document um, that supports a
23:14 compromise and ensures that we
23:16 provide the necessary training
23:19 for unarmed security guards but
23:21 also to support companies, um,
23:23 that play a critical role in
23:25 our city, especially the
23:27 importance of companies owned
23:28 by people of color.
23:30 They have to be respected as
23:30 well.
23:32 Uh, mr chair, MADAM Chair,
23:33 thank you very much.
23:34 Thank you.
23:35 we've been joined by
23:36 councilor um, aaron murphy.
23:38 Councilor murphy, would you
23:39 like any remarks?
23:40 Yeah, just happy to be here.
23:42 Part of the conversation like
23:43 council flynn was just saying
23:44 it's a balance.
23:46 We want to make sure anyone who
23:49 is in these roles important
23:50 roles have the training they
23:50 need.
23:52 But at the same time we have to
23:54 make sure that we're listening
23:57 to those who you know, employ
23:58 them and train them the way you
24:00 know, so just it's a balance
24:01 and I'm here to listen and get
24:03 all the information I can to
24:04 make sure the language is
24:04 right.
24:05 Thank you.
24:09 Uh, we also have a letter
24:10 of absence from
24:11 councilor culpeper that I will
24:12 read in part.
24:14 Um so dear chair, what is the
24:15 part that members of the
24:15 committee on government
24:17 operations I regret to inform
24:19 you I am unable to attend this
24:19 morning's hearing.
24:21 I would like to thank, uh,
24:22 folks for holding this hearing
24:23 and panelists and members
24:25 of the public for their
24:25 participation.
24:27 Well, while I support ensuring
24:29 that unarmed security officers
24:30 in boston receive appropriate
24:31 training, I have serious
24:32 concerns about this ordinance.
24:34 I remain opposed to it in its
24:34 current form.
24:36 My office has received numerous
24:37 letters and communication and
24:38 has met directly with
24:39 businesses, institutions and
24:40 community stakeholders who have
24:41 raised concerns about the
24:43 ordnances training requirements
24:44 restrictions on employer
24:45 provided training, permitting
24:46 structure penalties and
24:47 implement implementation
24:48 timeline.
24:49 I'm concerned about the
24:50 potential burden on small
24:52 minority owned security
24:53 businesses and employers that
24:55 already provide substantial
24:56 training tailored to their
24:57 workplaces um having heard from
24:59 those who would be directly
25:01 impacted, I cannot support this
25:02 document in its current form.
25:04 Sincerely, councilor culpeper
25:06 representative district seven
25:07 um I also just want to
25:09 acknowledge that while we don't
25:10 have an administration a
25:12 mayoral administration specific
25:14 panel, we are joined by two
25:16 here in the audience me me um
25:17 targeted I'm so sorry.
25:18 My message your name wrong.
25:21 Uh um but uh, always a friend
25:23 to labor, um, and deputy
25:25 director of labor policy, uh,
25:26 from the office of labor
25:27 compliance and worker
25:28 protections and the worker
25:29 empowerment cabinet.
25:30 and we also have monique
25:32 mitchell senior program manager
25:34 uh, living wage and wage theft,
25:36 um, overseeing living wage and
25:37 wage theft within the office
25:38 of labor compliance and worker
25:41 protections uh, before we had
25:44 to or we go to our panel um,
25:45 our business panel I do just
25:47 want to give a brief overview
25:48 for those listening.
25:49 Um, the background of this
25:50 ordinance is that it
25:51 establishes the city permitting
25:53 and training framework for
25:54 unarmed security guards working
25:54 in boston.
25:57 It requires 40 hours of initial
25:58 training within 90 days for new
26:00 guards, 180 days for existing
26:02 guards and eight hours annually
26:03 thereafter.
26:05 Training must be through a city
26:06 certified program, and
26:07 employers must pay training
26:09 costs and compensate guards for
26:10 training time.
26:12 The curriculum includes cpr,
26:16 smart aid and overdose response
26:17 ,de-escalation, mental and
26:19 behavioral health, emergency
26:20 response, building operations,
26:21 incident reporting and
26:22 workplace rights.
26:24 Uh there was a hearing while I
26:25 was away on maternity leave.
26:27 I want to thank uh, vice chair
26:27 councilor louijeune for holding
26:29 that and all those who
26:29 participated.
26:31 It seems as though there was a
26:31 broad agreement on the goal.
26:33 However there was significant
26:35 disagreement over the structure
26:37 workers, um and guards
26:38 testified to receiving little
26:39 to no training despite
26:40 confronting medical emergencies
26:43 ,behavioral health crisis and
26:44 public safety situations.
26:45 there were some concerns from
26:48 the council over the our
26:49 requirement uh part time
26:51 workers certification provider
26:52 availability, small business
26:54 impacts uh in the
26:54 administration testimony
26:56 acknowledged more conversations
26:57 and due diligence were needed.
26:59 We also heard from industry and
27:02 business uh folks their
27:03 concerns centered around
27:04 employers generally supporting
27:06 baseline training but argued
27:07 the ordinance is too
27:08 prescriptive and costly and
27:08 could.
27:10 Be difficult to implement.
27:12 Um, so with that context, I'm
27:13 pleased to now pass this over
27:14 to our.
27:17 Panel um, in whatever order you
27:18 so choose.
27:19 But I will go ahead and
27:21 introduce you now we have uh,
27:22 cameron kilpatrick who is
27:23 virtual who's the vice
27:24 PRESIDENT Of government
27:25 relations of allied universal.
27:27 Thank you cameron uh, for being
27:30 here we have herbie do rene who
27:31 is the principal and ceo
27:33 of wind walker solutions.
27:34 He's also the board of the
27:35 chair of the black economic
27:35 council massachusetts.
27:37 And we have david consul who is
27:39 the ceo and co-founder of red
27:40 con security and also a member
27:42 of the black economic
27:43 council of massachusetts.
27:44 And patricia mcmullen, who's
27:47 the executive director of the
27:48 conference of boston teaching
27:49 hospitals.
27:50 Thank you so much for being
27:52 here and please feel free to uh
27:53 or do you have a preferred
27:55 person to go first?
27:56 It's okay.
27:58 i'm happy to go.
27:58 Okay.
27:59 go right ahead.
27:59 Patricia.
28:00 Thank you.
28:00 Um.
28:01 good morning.
28:04 Uh, tish mcmullen, executive
28:06 director of the conference
28:06 of boston.
28:07 Teaching hospitals.
28:10 Our organization works to
28:13 support 12 member teaching
28:15 hospitals across greater boston
28:16 and appreciates.
28:18 The opportunity to comment on
28:19 this docket.
28:22 As you MAY know, our teaching
28:25 hospitals rely on a wide range
28:28 of personnel, including unarmed
28:30 security officers to ensure the
28:32 safety of our patients and
28:34 their families, our employees
28:35 and our neighbors.
28:38 Training of our security
28:41 officers is of paramount
28:43 importance to our organizations
28:45 ,and we very much appreciate
28:47 your attention to this
28:50 important issue.
28:51 Given the importance of the
28:53 training within our hospitals,
28:56 we believe a one size fits all
28:59 approach is not appropriate to
29:00 this critical training.
29:03 Rather we feel that there is
29:05 ample opportunity for the city
29:08 to recognize our dynamic and
29:11 robust training programs while
29:13 still pursuing your goal
29:15 of broader access to training
29:17 for individuals serving in
29:20 these important positions,
29:22 hospitals and large academic
29:24 medical centers in particular
29:26 are extraordinarily unique
29:29 environments that operate under
29:31 considerable state and federal
29:32 regulatory requirements that
29:36 are related to patient and
29:38 employee security and training.
29:40 Hospitals have to meet these
29:42 standards in order to maintain
29:45 our licenses from the
29:46 commonwealth of massachusetts.
29:48 Our participation in the
29:50 medicare and medicaid programs
29:52 and our accreditation from the
29:53 joint commission.
29:58 It is critical to us that any
29:59 legal and regulatory
30:01 requirements are harmonious
30:04 with current state and federal
30:06 law and recognize the
30:08 complexity of our institutions.
30:10 We respectfully ask that the
30:13 council move carefully and
30:14 deliberately in considering
30:17 this ordinance and convene the
30:18 various stakeholders as you
30:21 have today, um, that have
30:23 expressed operational concerns
30:25 with the ordinance as drafted
30:28 before moving it forward as you
30:31 do move it forward, however, we
30:34 stand ready to work with you to
30:35 craft an ordinance that
30:37 recognizes the unique training
30:39 support needed for hospital
30:41 security officers to be
30:44 successful in these roles in
30:46 addition to specific
30:47 recommendations that we will
30:49 provide as part of written
30:51 testimony, uh, we would also
30:54 urge that you consider two
30:57 alternative approaches.
31:00 First, allow hospitals and
31:01 other employers with robust