BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS — Our Legislative and Public Policy Committee is led by our mission and public hearing testimony when finalizing a brand new slate of bills to continue to advocate for in 2023-2024 and beyond. Some of our legislative priorities include: 

1). Resolutions recognizing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women and girls, especially women of color in the Commonwealth (H.3305) 

Lead Sponsor: Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley 

Status: Referred to the Committee on House Rules 

This resolution urges the Governor to (1) uphold the rights of crisis-affected and forcibly displaced populations further affected by COVID-19.(2) to place mental healthcare as a priority in the Commonwealth, (3) to ask all of the 351 cities and towns to also support this resolution.

2). An Act relative to birthing justice in the Commonwealth (S.1415) 

Lead Sponsor: Senator Liz Miranda  

Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health  

This bill introduces a framework to improve maternal health outcomes and advance recommendations from the Special Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health, including better integrating midwifery care into our maternal health care system to improve access to out-of-hospital birthing options and reducing financial and administrative barriers to the creation of free-standing birth centers.

3). An Act providing reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals (H.2371) 

Lead Sponsors: Representative Jay Livingstone & Representative Kay Khan  

Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security  

This bill would require access to contraceptive services, counseling, and abortion care for incarcerated people.

4). An Act relative to rehabilitation, re-entry, and human rights for incarcerated persons (H.2325/S.1493) 

Lead Sponsors: Senator Cynthia Stone Creem and Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley  

Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security 

This bill will establish universal baseline standards for every person incarcerated in Massachusetts state prisons, county jails, and the house of Corrections. Instead of focusing on a culture of punishment, this bill seeks to shift correctional priorities to rehabilitation and re-entry.

5). An Act Supporting Parents Running for Public Office (S.348/H.590) 

Lead Sponsors: Senator Patricia Jehlen and Representatives Mike Connolly and Joan Meschino  

Status: Referred to the Joint Committee on Election Laws 

This bill would allow candidates running for public office can use their campaign funds for their childcare needs, regardless of gender or family status.

6). An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products (S.1381/H.534) 

Lead Sponsors: Representatives Jay D. Livingstone, Christine P. Barber & Senator Jehlen  

Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health 

Also known as the I AM Bill, this bill would provide access to free menstrual products to all menstruating individuals in schools, shelters & prisons.

7). An Act to ensure legal parentage equality (S.947/H.1713) 

Lead Sponsors: Senator Julian Cyr and Representatives Sarah K. Peake and Hannah Kane  

Status: Referred to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary 

This bill would ensure that all children can access the security of legal parentage, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, helping to protect diverse forms of families.

8). An Act providing for climate change adaptation infrastructure and affordable housing investments in the Commonwealth (H.2890) 

Lead Sponsors: Senator Jaime Eldridge 

Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Revenue 

This bill seeks to increase the amount of funding for Governor Bakers initial proposal. The new funding would be implemented in the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program and the MA Climate Clearinghouse. 

9). An Act establishing Medicare for all in Massachusetts (S.744/H.1239) 

Lead Sponsors: Representatives Lindsay Sabadosa, Denise C. Garlick & Senator James B. Eldridge  

Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing  

This bill would guarantee health care access to all residents without regard to citizenship status, incarceration, financial or employment status, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, previous health problems, or geographic location. 

10). Study women veterans and long-term effects of combat on motherhood (H.3710) 

Lead Sponsors: Representative Shirley Arriaga  

Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs 

This resolve would establish a special legislative commission to examine female veterans who have experienced combat and whether that experience has either short or long-term impacts on motherhood.