With over 70 bills, this is the largest and most intersectional legislative agenda in Mass NOW’s history, representing a multi-pronged strategy needed to achieve a feminist democracy in the Commonwealth. We’re in the second year of the 193rd Legislative session, and have just a few more months before the formal session ends on July 31st, 2024.

Unfortunately, 21 bills were not reported favorably out of Committee by the Joint Rule 10 deadline, and 26 more are in jeopardy of the same fate. There are still 46 bills on the move and with your help, could be passed this session! Check out the full list of bills below.

Endorsed

Legislation

Reproductive Justice

  • Bill #
    H. 534
    S. 2491

    Sponsors
    Rep. Livingstone
    Rep. Barber
    Sen. Jehlen

    Summary
    Increase Access to Menstrual products in k-12 schools, prisons/jails, and shelters

    Status
    Hearing 6/06/23

    Committee
    House Ways and Means

  • Bill
    H. 544
    S. 268

    Sponsors
    Rep. O’Day
    Rep. Howard
    Sen.DiDomenico

    Summary
    Provide comprehensive and inclusive sex ed in all public schools

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Education

    Committee
    Senate Ways and Means

  • Bill
    H. 2209
    S. 1457

    Sponsors
    Rep. Khan
    Rep. Oakley
    Sen. Rausch

    Summary
    Expanding licensing for midwives

    Status
    Hearing 6/06/23

    Committee
    Public Health

  • Bill
    S. 2480

    Sponsors
    Sen. Cyr

    Summary
    Legislation to enable pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer PrEP

    Status
    Hearing 6/06/23

    Committee
    House Ways and Means

  • Bill
    H. 1255

    Sponsors
    Rep. Domb

    Summary
    Requiring menstrual products in buildings on public higher education campuses

    Status
    Hearing 5/30/23

    Committee
    Higher Education

  • Bill
    H. 4267

    Sponsors
    Rep. Tyler
    Sen. Comerford

    Summary
    Impose a five-year moratorium on prison and jail construction.

    Status
    Hearing 6/27/23 Emergency Preamble

    Committees
    House Ways and Means

  • Bill
    H. 3018

    Sponsors
    Rep. Domb

    Summary
    Legislation to require menstrual products in all state buildings

    Status
    Referred to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

    Committee
    House Ways and Means

  • Bill
    H. 2146
    S. 1333

    Sponsors
    Rep. Domb
    Rep. Ferguson
    Sen. Comerford

    Summary
    Requires informed and explicit consent for pelvic, prostate, and rectal exams on anesthetized or otherwise unconscious patients

    Status
    Hearing 7/26/23

    Committee
    Public Health

  • Bill
    S. 1415

    Sponsor
    Sen. Miranda

    Summary
    Birthing justice in the commonwealth, especially for Black women and other women of color

    Status
    Hearing 6/06/23

    Committee
    Public Health

  • Bill
    H. 2163
    S. 1375

    Sponsors
    Rep. Fiola
    Sen. Friedman

    Summary
    Requires MassHealth to cover postpartum depression screening for 12 months after birth

    Status
    Hearing 6/06/23

    Committee
    Public Health

  • Bill
    H. 2133
    S. 1430

    Sponsors
    Rep. Barber
    Rep. Sabadosa
    Rep. Moore

    Summary
    Allows pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives

    Status
    Passed as part of the FY24 Budget

    Committee
    Public Health

  • Bill
    H. 2138
    S. 145

    Sponsors
    Sen. Comerford
    Rep. Blais

    Summary
    Requires manufacturers of menstrual products to disclose the ingredients of products sold and distributed

    Status
    Hearing 6/6/2023

    Committee
    Public Health

Racial Justice

  • Bill #
    H. 565

    Sponsors
    Rep. Sabadosa

    Summary
    Gets SRO’s out of schools

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Education

    Committee
    Education

  • Bill
    H. 1710
    S. 942

    Sponsors
    Rep. O’Day
    Rep. Cruz
    Sen. Crighton

    Summary
    Increases the age of criminal majority from 18 to 21 over the next 5 years

    Status
    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 2288
    S. 1510

    Sponsors
    Rep. Balser
    Rep. Cruz
    Sen. Eldridge

    Summary
    Ensure court and police officials do not inquire about immigration status unless required by law

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

    Committee
    Public Safety and Homeland Security

  • Bill
    H. 1802
    S. 931

    Sponsors
    Rep. Vargas
    Sen. Stone Creem

    Summary
    Collect accurate and comprehensive data on juvenile interaction with law enforcement

    Status
    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 1796
    S. 1494

    Sponsors
    Rep. Tyler
    Sen. Creem

    Summary
    These bills would make phone calls free of charge to the person placing or the person receiving the call; they would apply to state prisons, county jails, and state juvenile detention centers.

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and The Judiciary

    Committee
    Public Safety and Homeland Security
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 1795
    S. 1979

    Sponsors
    Rep. Tyler
    Sen. Comerford

    Summary
    Impose a five-year moratorium on prison and jail construction.

    Status
    Hearing 6/27/23 Emergency Preamble

    Committees
    State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 2264
    S. 1407

    Sponsors
    Rep. Sabadosa
    Rep. Mark

    Summary
    Crate unarmed community based crisis response mechanisms to assist individuals experiencing mental and behavioral health emergencies

    Status
    Hearing TBD

    Committee
    Public Health

  • Bill
    H. 1362
    S. 878

    Sponsors
    Rep. Montaño
    Sen. Gomez

    Summary
    Provide for programs, policies, guidelines, priorities and preferences for the housing of formerly incarcerated persons reentering communities.

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Housing

    Committee
    Housing

  • Bill
    H. 3913

    Sponsor
    Rep. Williams

    Summary
    Establish an executive office for missing and murdered Black women and girls and create policies and alert systems

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

    Committee
    Public Safety and Homeland Security

  • Bill
    H. 1795
    S. 1979

    Sponsors
    Rep. Tyler
    Sen. Comerford

    Summary
    Temporarily halt the construction of a new women’s prison

    Status
    Hearing 7/25/23

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 724
    S. 428

    Sponsors
    Rep. Uyterhoeven
    Sen. Miranda

    Summary
    Restores voting rights to incarcerated felons

    Status
    Emergency Preamble

    Committee
    Election Laws

  • Bill
    S. 1976

    Sponsors
    Sen. Miranda

    Summary
    Establishes an Indigenous Peoples Day

    Status
    10/3/23

    Committee
    Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

  • Bill
    S. 1545

    Sponsors
    Sen. Miranda

    Summary
    Establish an anti-racism division of the office of inspector general called the Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-racism, and Equity Unit

    Create a Community Council with nomination authority

    Status
    Hearing 1/23/24

    Committee
    Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

  • Bill
    H. 597
    S. 294

    Sponsors
    Rep. Ultrino
    Rep. Meschino
    Sen. Jehlen

    Summary
    Requires that alternatives to suspension/expulsion must be implemented BEFORE any suspension/expulsion related to school code of conduct violations

    Status
    Hearing 6/6/23

    Committee
    Education

  • Bill
    H. 536
    S. 318

    Sponsors
    Rep. Montaño
    Sen. Miranda

    Summary
    Proposing a permanent commission towards improving educational outcomes and opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native students. Broader impacts of the commission are the promotion of tribal self-determination by providing students with the opportunity to learn their heritage, languages and histories while preparing them for higher education

    Status
    Hearing 10/11/23

    Committee
    Education

  • Bill
    H. 477
    S. 245

    Sponsors
    Rep. Oakley
    Sen. Comerford

    Summary
    Prohibit the use of Native American mascots by any public schools in the Commonwealth

    Status
    Heang 11/13/23

    Committee
    Education

  • Bill
    H. 529
    S. 344

    Sponsors
    Rep. Lewis
    Sen. Rausch

    Summary
    This bill addresses the lack of Indigenous curriculum in Massachusetts public schools.The goal is to develop a curriculum by working with tribal nations in-state and ensure that all children in the schools attain cultural competency in understanding Native history, cultures and current issues.

    Status
    Hearing 10/11/23

    Committee
    Education

  • Bill
    H. 3248
    S. 2186

    Sponsors
    Rep. Rogers
    Rep. Biele
    Sen. Collins

    Summary
    This would ensure that Native American funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony (those of cultural, traditional or historical importance to their heritage) held in governmental, municipal or non-profit collections are not sold for profit.

    Status
    Hearing 9/18/23

    Committee
    House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

  • Bill
    H. 3084
    S. 1990

    Sponsors
    Rep. Madaro
    Rep. González
    Sen. DiDomenico

    Summary
    Ensures that state agencies meet the needs of our Commonwealth’s increasingly diverse population by providing public information and services in languages other than English, as required by Federal law.

    Status
    Hearing 10/3/23

    Committee
    House Ways and Means

Economic Justice

  • Bill
    H. 669
    S. 422

    Sponsors
    Rep. Connolly
    Rep. Meschino
    Sen. Jehlen

    Summary
    Candidates running for public office can use their campaign funds for their childcare needs

    Status
    Hearing 5/17/23

    Committee
    Election Laws

  • Bill
    H. 489
    S. 301

    Sponsors
    Rep. Gordon
    Rep. Madaro
    Sen. Lewis"

    Summary
    The state would provide affordable and accessible early education and childcare

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Education

    Committee
    Education

  • Bill
    H. 211
    S. 1112

    Sponsors
    Rep. Pignatelli
    Rep. Moran
    Sen. Rausch

    Summary
    Provide a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness

    Status
    Hearing 6/13/23

    Committee
    Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities

  • Bill
    H. 1872
    S. 1188

    Sponsors
    Rep. Farley-Bouvier
    Rep. Montaño
    Sen. Jehlen

    Summary
    Guarantees one standard, full minimum wage for all tipped workers, ending the practice of paying subminimum wages.

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Labor and Workforce Development

    Committee
    Labor and Workforce Development

  • Bill
    H. 1849
    S. 1191

    Sponsors
    Rep. Cutler
    Rep. Oakley
    Sen. Jehlen

    Summary
    Employer shall provide pay scale for employee/applicant

    Status
    Hearing 5/09/23

    Committee
    Labor and Workforce Development

  • Bill
    H. 3118

    Sponsor
    Rep. Ultrino

    Summary
    The office of economic empowerment will create programs, policies, and partnerships to promote economic mobility and financial independence to residents across the commonwealth

    Status
    Hearing 6/27/23

    Committee
    State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

  • Bill
    H. 3130

    Sponsor
    Rep. Williams

    Summary
    The formation of a new bureau who will be responsible for the recovery and reconstruction of low and moderate income communities and economically disadvantaged communities.

    Status
    Hearing 6/27/23

    Committee
    State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

  • Bill
    S. 2360

    Sponsors
    Sen. Velis

    Summary
    Creates the first women’s veteran network that reaches out to female veterans to provide support

    Status
    Hearing 6/13/23

    Committee
    Veterans and Federal Affairs

  • Bill
    H. 1247
    S. 740

    Sponsors
    Rep. Rogers
    Sen. DiDomenic

    Summary
    Cover All Kids would provide Mass Health to anyone 21 or under regardless of their immigration status.

    Status
    Hearing 7/2/23

    Committee
    Senate Ways and Means

  • Bill
    H. 1250
    S. 799

    Sponsors
    Rep. Williams
    Rep. Garcia
    Sen. Payano

    Summary
    This bill would provide Mass Health to all residents regardless of immigration status or age.

    Status
    Hearing 9/2/23

    Committee
    Health Care Financing

  • Bill
    H. 1708
    S. 978

    Sponsors
    Rep. Nguyen

    Summary
    This bill makes sexual harassment unlawful and creates a compliance-based approach to discrimination regulation similar to the Federal Fair Lending Laws. Will make innovation funding more accessible for women and minorities.

    Status
    Hearing 2/16/23

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 1317

    Sponsors
    Rep. Donahue

    Summary
    Would protect all low-income state residents from eviction by codifying and streamlining access to DHCD’s homelessness prevention programs.

    Status
    Hearing 9/27/23

    Committee
    Housing

  • Bill
    H. 1281
    S. 817

    Sponsors
    Rep. Moran
    Rep. Madaro
    Sen. Crighton

    Summary
    Ensures that all MA high school graduates have access to in-state tuition at our Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities, regardless of immigration status, as 23 other states and D.C. provide. The Senate bill would also extend eligibility for state financial aid.

    Status
    Hearing 10/10/23

    Committee
    Committee on Higher Education

  • Bill
    H. 2224
    S. 1402

    Sponsors
    Rep. Lewis
    Rep. Domb
    Sen. Lewis

    Summary
    Marshall the skills of seasoned, internationally-trained physicians to address acute physician shortages in Massachusetts by creating a streamlined pathway to full licensure

    Status
    Hearing 9/21/23

    Committee
    Public Health

LGBTQ Rights

  • Bill
    S. 259
    H. 498

    Sponsors
    Rep. Higgins
    Rep. Lewis
    Sen. Cyr

    Summary
    Inclusion of LGBTQ history in public schools

    Status
    Referred to the committee on Education

    Committee
    Education

  • Bill
    H. 1683
    S. 945

    Sponsors
    Rep. Montaño
    Sen. Cyr

    Summary
    To repeal “common nightwalking” and grant limited amnesty to sex workers that seek help.

    Status
    Hearing 5/16/23

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 3368
    S. 2207

    Sponsors
    Rep. Linksy
    Sen. Comerford

    Summary
    An individual may request a change in the sex designation on their birth record to a sex designation including, but not limited to, “female,” “male,” or “X,” with “X” designating that the person is another gender or an undesignated gender.

    Status
    Hearing 6/13/23

    Committee
    Transportation

  • Bill
    H. 1537

    Sponsor
    Rep. Gordon

    Summary
    Details the sentencing and punishment for any school or government official engages in sexual assault with minors

    Status
    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 1536

    Sponsor
    Rep. Gordon

    Summary
    Takes away any statute of limitations for the sexual assault of a minor

    Status
    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 1037
    S. 596

    Sponsors
    Rep. Higgins
    Rep. Barber
    Sen. Comerford

    Summary
    Those seeking gender reaffirming care will not be asked for more than one letter from a mental health care professional by corporations, insurance provider, the commission, or health official

    Status
    Hearing 5/02/23

    Committee
    Financial Services

  • Bill
    H. 1617
    S. 1110

    Sponsors
    Rep. Fernandes
    Rep. Lewis
    Sen. Rausch

    Summary
    creates a peer exception to protect teens from criminal prosecution for consensual sexual activity with peers

    Status
    Hearing 9/12/23

    Committee
    Judiciary

Gender Based Violence

  • Bill
    H. 1757

    Sponsor
    Rep. Sabadosa

    Summary
    Promote the health and safety of people working in the sex trade

    Status
    Hearing 5/16/23

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 1705
    S. 1108

    Sponsors
    Rep.Nguyen
    Sen. Rausch

    Summary
    Makes height and weight protected identities alongside race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and others.

    Status
    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 1572

    Sponsor
    Rep. Jones, Jr.

    Summary
    Prohibiting motor vehicle tracking devices without consent

    Status
    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 1758
    S. 1046

    Sponsors
    Rep. Sabadosa
    Sen. Miranda

    Summary
    Prevent human trafficking and improve the health and safety of sex workers

    Status
    Hearing 5/16/23

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 560

    Sponsors
    Rep. Rogers

    Summary
    Teaching media literacy in schools to promote child safety on the internet.

    Status
    Senate concurred

    Committee
    Education

  • Bill
    H. 1918
    S. 1152

    Sponsor
    Rep. Livingstone
    Sen. Creem

    Summary
    Extending protection to work for victims of abusive behavior Referred to the committee on Labor and Workforce Development

    Committee
    Labor and Workforce Development

  • Bill
    H. 357
    S. 148

    Sponsors
    Rep. Lipper Garabedian
    Sen. Creem

    Summary
    This bill would Prohibit companies from selling, leasing, trading, or renting location data. Require companies to obtain consent before collecting or processing location data.

    Status
    Hearing 11/13/23

    Committee
    Consumer Protection and Protection and Professional Licensure

  • Bill
    H. 4241

    Sponsors
    n/a

    Summary
    This bill will add coercive control and technological abuse to the civil protection law to recognize less visible forms of abuse.

    Status
    Hearing 9/12/23

    Committee
    House Ways and Means

  • Bill
    H. 1399
    S. 107

    Sponsors
    Rep. Natalie M. Blais
    Sen. Michael Moore

    Summary
    The misuse of the court system by people who cause harm to further tactics of abusive power and control is referred to as abusive litigation.These tactics can force survivors to appear repeatedly in court at their emotional and financial expense. This bill provides courts with a tool to curb abusive litigation and mitigate its harms.

    Status
    Hearing 9/12/23

    Committee
    Judiciary

  • Bill
    H. 249
    S. 2477

    Sponsors
    Rep. Barber
    Rep. Donato

    Summary
    Legislation to mandate domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapists

    Status
    Hearing 6/12/23

    Committee
    Senate Ways and Means

Constitutional Equity

  • Bill
    S. 2016

    Sponsor
    Sen. Lewis

    Summary
    Ensure gender parity and racial and ethnic diversity on public boards and commissions

    Status
    Hearing 5/10/23

    Committee
    State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

  • Bill
    S. 410

    Sponsors
    Sen. Creem

    Summary
    Same day voter registration, decoupling municipal census, ensuring access for voters with disabilities, uniform mail voting forms

    Status
    Hearing 9/13/23

    Committee
    Election Laws

  • Bill
    H. 3095
    S. 2029

    Sponsors
    Rep. Nguyen
    Rep. Shand
    Sen. Miranda

    Summary
    This is a new bill that works to ensure parity on public boards and commissions. This bill would do so by asking for transparency, data collection, and reporting of public board and commission membership in order to disclose the gaps of representation.

    Status
    House Ways and Means
    Senate Ways and Means

    Committee
    House Ways and Means

  • Bill
    H. 688

    Sponsors
    Rep. Gentile

    Summary
    Same Day Voter Registration allows all eligible voters to register or update their registration in-person on Election Day or early voting days.

    Status
    Hearing 9/13/23

    Committee
    Election Laws

  • Bill
    H. 656

    Sponsors
    Rep. Arriaga

    Summary
    Allowing uniform vote by mail and absentee voting forms, ballots and other paperwork will reduce costs and workload for local election officials, and reduce confusion by voters.

    Status
    Hearing 9/13/23

    Committee
    Election Laws

  • Bill
    H. 701

    Sponsor
    Rep. Khan

    Summary
    Requires the Secretary to arrange inspection of all polling places and early voting sites at least once every four years, to ensure compliance with federal and state disability accessibility laws. Cities and towns not in compliance must take immediate action to comply and file a compliance plan, and the Attorney General can enforce compliance in court.

    Status
    Hearing 9/13/23

    Committee
    Election Laws