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 in future legislative sessions. Some of those bills include: 

H.3544

Resolutions recognizing the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women and girls, especially women of color in the Commonwealth (H.3544)

Lead Sponsors:
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.

S.1415

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

Lead Sponsors:
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.

H.2371

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 individuals.

H.2325/S.1493

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.

S.422/H.669

An Act Supporting Parents Running for Public Office (S.422/H.669)

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

Coalition:
Parents Running for Office Coalition

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.

S.1381/H.534

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

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

Status:
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health 

This bill would provide access to free menstrual products to all menstruating individuals in schools, shelters & prisons. Download the I AM Bill Factsheet Here.

Write to your House Representative here to encourage them to pass the IAM Bill!

S.947/H.1713

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.

H.2894/S.1799

An Act providing for climate change adaptation infrastructure and affordable housing investments in the Commonwealth (H.2894/S.1799)

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.

S.744/H.1239

An Act establishing Medicare for all in Massachusetts

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.

H.3710

Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood

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.

Get Involved!

There are a number of ways that you can get involved: Take a look at the video former MCSW Commissioner Becca Glenn developed to prepare advocates to request co sponsorships for some of the Commission’s priority bills.

​​​​​​Interested in advocating with MCSW? Join our mailing list to keep up with our advocacy day updates or email us at mcsw@mass.gov for more information. Whether you have a general interest in advocacy, or want to advocate for a particular bill on our priority legislation list, we want to amplify your voice!

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