End of Formal Session Legislative Update
The 194th General Court: End of Formal Session Update
Our wins, our unfinished business, and the work ahead.
With the formal legislative session having concluded on July 31st, we are sharing an update on Mass NOW’s legislative agenda, the progress our movement made this session, and the work that continues during informal session.
Mass NOW endorses 132 bills on key issues affecting Massachusetts residents, including reproductive justice, racial justice, economic justice, LGBTQ rights, gender-based violence, and constitutional equity. This year, we have seen unprecedented traction fueled by continued community building, which we continue to foster through our events and coalition-building efforts with other local organizations.
While the formal session has now concluded, the work is not done. The informal legislative session has begun and will continue until January 6, 2027. This means that legislation can still pass, however, it is more difficult as any single no vote can veto a bill.
We need your help to keep up the momentum. Even if you have written to your legislator before, please take a minute to reach out to your State Representative and urge them to bring the bills to a vote in the House.
Menstrual Equity: Our Fourth Legislative Session, and Our Strongest Yet
This was Mass NOW’s fourth legislative session fighting to advance menstrual equity in Massachusetts, and while our three priority menstrual equity bills did not make it across the finish line during the formal session, our movement made more legislative progress than ever before.
For the third legislative session in a row, the I AM Bill passed the Massachusetts Senate unanimously, demonstrating sustained and bipartisan recognition that students should have access to free menstrual products in schools. Once again, however, the bill was not brought to a vote in the House.
This year, we also reached an important new milestone: the Ingredient Disclosure Bill passed the Senate, expanding legislative momentum beyond product access to include menstrual product safety and transparency. In the House, lawmakers went even further by expanding the scope of the legislation moving forward to incorporate language from our Public Buildings Bill, bringing our broader vision for menstrual equity into the conversation.
Today, all three of our menstrual equity priorities remain before the House Committee on Ways and Means:
The Public Buildings Bill (H.3318) would require free disposable menstrual products to be available in bathrooms across public and private buildings in Massachusetts.
The I AM Bill (H.4611) would require free disposable menstrual products in primary and secondary schools as well as public institutions of higher education.
The Ingredient Disclosure Bill (H.2375) would require manufacturers of disposable and reusable menstrual products to clearly disclose intentionally added ingredients on product packaging and online.
The fact that these bills did not pass during the formal session is frustrating, but it should not obscure how far this movement has come. We are fighting against a longstanding stigma around menstruation that has shaped public policy for generations. And when the vast majority of the people serving in the Legislature do not menstruate, we know that education remains a critical part of changing policy.
That education is working. Each legislative session, more lawmakers understand menstrual equity not as a niche issue, but as an issue of public health, education, economic justice, and basic dignity.
We also secured a major victory outside of these bills: the FY27 state budget includes a $150,000 earmark to sustain Mass NOW’s menstrual equity program. This investment is both a tangible win for our work and a powerful reflection of how much our coalition has grown over the years. What began as a campaign to get policymakers talking openly about periods has developed into a statewide movement with the relationships, infrastructure, and public support necessary to keep pushing for systemic change.
Four legislative sessions in, we are not starting over. We are building on our strongest session yet.
Major Legislative Victories:
We also celebrate three Mass NOW-endorsed bills that successfully passed this legislative session. Most significantly, Massachusetts strengthened protections for reproductive health care and gender-affirming care at a moment when access to this care is increasingly under attack across the country.
Strengthening Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care ProtectionsThe Act Strengthening Health Care Protections in the Commonwealth (H.4294) strengthens Massachusetts’ protections for people seeking and providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care.
The legislation prevents state and local entities from cooperating with certain out-of-state investigations targeting care that is legally provided in Massachusetts. It also strengthens patient and provider privacy by limiting the disclosure of sensitive information and protecting individual health information from public records requests.
These protections are critical to ensuring Massachusetts remains a place where patients can seek reproductive and gender-affirming care and providers can deliver that care without fear that another state’s laws will reach across our borders.
The Act Prioritizing Patient Access to Care (H.5595) further strengthens abortion access in Massachusetts by removing a previous statutory framework that required physicians to evaluate abortions later in pregnancy according to a prescribed set of criteria.
The new law allows health care professionals to rely on their medical judgment and accepted standards of care when treating patients facing complex circumstances, including serious fetal diagnoses and maternal health complications.
At a time when abortion access continues to be restricted nationwide, this legislation reinforces an essential principle: deeply personal medical decisions should be made by patients and their health care providers—not politicians.
The Act Relative to the Regional Commissions on the Status of Women (H.2313) removes the town of Hull from the Eastern Regional Commission on the Status of Women. By doing so, it streamlines the regional demographic of the eastern regional area and improves the scope and applicability of activities, which include policy research, recommendations, and community engagement.
The Fight Continues
This session showed us what sustained organizing can accomplish. We strengthened protections for abortion and gender-affirming care, advanced multiple menstrual equity policies further than ever before, and secured a significant state investment in the future of Massachusetts’ menstrual equity movement.
And if you’re frustrated that more of our priority bills didn’t pass this session, we are too. Legislative change—especially on issues burdened by generations of stigma and inequity—rarely happens in a single session. Most of these bills will likely be refiled when the next legislative session begins, and we’ll be ready to keep fighting for them.
But we don’t have to wait until next session to get to work. Now is the time to build a relationship with your legislators. Reach out to your State Representative and State Senator. Tell them which issues and bills matter to you and why. Ask where they stand. Our elected officials should be hearing from us throughout the legislative cycle—not only when a bill is days away from a vote.
The progress we made this year is the result of advocates, community members, coalition partners, and legislators showing up year after year. Every conversation, email, testimony, and advocacy event helps build the support we need to move these policies forward.
And when the next legislative session begins, we’ll be ready. This spring, Mass NOW and our coalition will be back at the State House for Advocacy Day, bigger, louder, and more determined than ever. We hope you’ll be there with us!
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House Bills:
Filed: 1/132
Study ordered: 42/132
Hearing held, wasn’t reported out of Committee: 6/132
In Committee: 73/132
Reported favorably out of Committee: 5/132
Passed one Chamber: 0/132
Passed: 3/132
Senate Bills:
Filed: 3/132
Study ordered: 14/132
Hearing held, wasn’t reported out of Committee: 6/132
In committee: 88/132
Reported favorably out of Committee: 3/132
Passed one Chamber: 1/132
Passed: 2/132
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An Act Relative To Healthy Youth
H.656: In Committee
S.340: In Committee
An act relative to establishing the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act
H.4746: In Committee
An act promoting and enhancing the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce H.5016: Reported out of Committee
S.3045: In Committee
An act to increase access to nurse-midwifery services
H.4334: In Committee
S.697: In Committee
An act ensuring access to full spectrum pregnancy care
H.4343: In Committee
S.761: In Committee
An act relative to insurance coverage for doula services HB1312
H.4344: In Committee
S.789: In Committee
An act relative to IUD pain management coverage
H.4957: In Committee
S.824: Sent to Study
An act relative to the well-being of new mothers and infants
H.1924: Sent to Study
S.1171: Sent to Study
An act relative to chaperones for medical exams
H.4868: In Committee
S.1485: In Committee
An act prioritizing patient access to care
H.5595: Passed!
S.1563: In Committee
An act relative to menstrual product ingredient disclosure
H.2375: In Committee
S.2641: In Committee
An act expanding access to hygiene products
H.2390: In Committee
An act to increase access to disposable menstrual products
H.4611: In Committee
S.2640: In Committee
An act pertaining to women’s health at midlife and public, medical and workplace awareness of the transitional stage of menopause and related chronic conditions
H.5303: Reported out of Committee
An act relative to the creation of an endometriosis task force
H.4612: In Committee
S.1564: In Committee
An act to provide reproductive health care to incarcerated individuals
H.2658: In Committee
An act to increase access to menstrual products in public buildings
H.3318: In Committee
S.2156: In Committee
Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood
H.3826: Sent to Study
An act to protect safety and privacy by stopping the sale of location data
S.197: In Committee
An act relative to healthy youth
S.340: In Committee
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An act requiring public pension fund divestment from ammunition and firearms
H.49: Sent to Study
S.1869: Sent to Study
An act prohibiting the use of native american mascots by public schools in the commonwealth H.575: In Committee
S.312: In Committee
An act to reduce exclusionary discipline for violations of rules related to student grooming and dress
H.576: In Committee
S.2955: In Committee
An act to ensure educational rights are upheld for incarcerated youth
H.620: In Committee
S.1721: In Committee
An act relative to celebrating and teaching native american culture and history
H.628: In Committee
S.2689: In Committee
An act providing for the creation of a permanent commission relative to the education of american indian and alaska native residents of the Commonwealth
H.649: In Committee
An act addressing school exclusion policies to remedy disparities in educational achievement
H.730: In Committee
S.368: Reported out of Committee
An act relative to healthcare industry recruitment and education for the 21st century
H.1380: In Committee
An act banning legacy preferences in higher education
H.4406: Sent to Study
S.2534: In Committee
An act to secure housing for returning citizens
H.1554: Sent to Study
S.2764: In Committee
An act relative to immigration detention and collaboration agreements
H.1588: In Committee
S.3072: Reported out of Committee
An act relative to expungement of juvenile and young adult records
H.1657: Sent to Study
S.1058: In Committee
An act to enhance fairness and increase positive outcomes for children
H.1658: Sent to Study
S.1050: In Committee
An act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services
H.4515: In Committee
S.1051: In Committee
An act requiring clean slate automated record sealing
H.1811: Sent to Study
S.1114: In Committee
An act to prevent the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences based on juvenile adjudications
H.1900: In Committee
S.1081: In Committee
An act promoting fairness in youthful offender indictments
H.1918: Sent to Study
S.1240: In Committee
An act to promote public safety and better outcomes for youth
H.1923: Sent to Study
S.1061: In Committee
An act ensuring access to equitable representation in immigration proceedings
H.1954: In Committee
S.3086: Filed
An act prohibiting deception in juvenile interrogations
H.1979: Sent to Study
S.1065: In Committee
An act protecting youth during personal custodial interrogations
H.1984: Sent to Study
S.108: In Committee
An act relative to harm reduction and racial justice
H.2225: Sent to Study
S.1391: Sent to Study
An act to create equitable approaches to public health
H.2529: In Committee
An act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents
H.2580: Sent to Study
S.1681: In Committee
An act to build restorative family and community connection
H.2591: In Committee
S.1720: In Committee
An act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people
H.2608: In Committee
S.1651: Sent to Study
An act creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the special legislative commission on structural racism in correctional facilities across the commonwealth
H.2636: Sent to Study
S.1725: In Committee
An act relative to elder and medical parole
H.2693: In Committee
S.2857: In Committee
An act relative to missing Black women and girls in Massachusetts
H.2732: In Committee
An act establishing Indigenous Peoples Day
H.3292: In Committee
S.2113: In Committee
An act relative to language access and inclusion
H.3384: In Committee
S.2622: In Committee
An act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium
H.3422: In Committee
S.2944: In Committee
An act the commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and reconstruction
H.3439: In Committee
An act to protect Native American heritage
H.3597: In Committee
S.2335: In Committee
An act relative to safer schools
H.5157: In Committee
S.386: Sent to Study
An act relative to increasing transparency in juvenile court proceedings
S.1035: Sent to Study
An act improving juvenile justice and data collection
H.2028: Sent to Study
S.1054: In Committee
Establishing a state house restoration and management commission
S.2740: In Committee
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An Act establishing an office of economic empowerment
H.47: Sent to Study
S.2131: In Committee
An act relative to a livable wage for human service workers
H.223: In Committee
S.130: In Committee
An act establishing a bill of rights for individuals experiencing homelessness
H.274: Sent to Study
S.1120: Sent to Study
An act relative to healthcare quality for children and youth
H.5091: In Committee
S.169: Sent to Study
An act relative to health equity and community health workers
H.359: In Committee
S.251: In Committee
An act expanding access to family, friends, and neighbor-provided childcare
H.5282: In Committee
S.341: In Committee
An act establishing a legislative commission to study and make recommendations regarding the chapter 70 funding formula
H.555: In Committee
S.400: In Committee
An act establishing a climate change superfund
H.1014: Sent to Study
S.588: Sent to Study
An act to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform
H.1350: In Committee
S.857: Reported out of Committee
An act to ensure equitable health coverage for children
H.1403: In Committee
S.855: Sent to Study
An act establishing Medicare for all in Massachusetts
H.5590: Reported out of Committee
S.860: Sent to Study
An act to advance health equity
H.1416: In Committee
H.1417: In Committee
S.901: In Committee
An act relative to debt-free public higher education
H.1436: Sent to Study
S.2755: In Committee
An act providing for energy assistance during the summer months
H.1495: In Committee
S.959: In Committee
An act relative to residential assistance for families in transition (RAFT)
H.1496: In Committee
An act relative to juvenile fines, fees, and restitution
H.1660: Sent to Study
S.1131: Sent to Study
An act relative to fair investment
H.1922: Sent to Study
S.1119: In Committee
An act relative to bereavement leave for the loss of a child
H.5302: In Committee
S.1354: In Committee
An act establishing a special commission on paid family and medical leave for public employees
H.2070: In Committee
S.1293: In Committee
An act establishing fairness for agricultural laborers in Massachusetts
H.21108: In Committee
S.3132: In Committee
An act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants
H.2328: Hearing Held
S.1447: In Committee
An act to improve oral health for all Massachusetts residents
H.4869: Reported out of Committee
S.2854: In Committee
An act enabling a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing
H.3056: In Committee
S.1937: In Committee
An act relative to overtime pay for agricultural laborers in Massachusetts
H.3107: Sent to Study
S.2011: Sent to Study
An act combating offshore tax avoidance
H.3110: Sent to Study
S.2033: In Committee
An act supporting family caregivers
H.3159: In Committee
S.3131: Sent to Study
An act relative to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
H.3433: In Committee
An act preventing gas expansion to protect climate, community health and safety
H.3547: Sent to Study
S.2290: In Committee
An act empowering students and schools to thrive
HD.4328: In Committee
S.374: In Committee
An act to provide sunlight to state government
HD.4304: Filed
S.2099: In Committee
An act updating the open meeting law to support remote participation
S.2205: In Committee
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An act to promote comprehensive and inclusive curriculum in schools
H.655: In Committee
S.2689: In Committee
An act relative to gender neutral language in elections law
H.804: Hearing Held
An act relative to trans inclusive health care access
H.1188: Sent to Study
S.681: In Committee
An act amending the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child
H.1732: Sent to Study
S.1165: In Committee
An act relative to the age of consent in certain criminal prosecutions and civil actions for sexual assault and rape of a child
H.4538: In Committee
An act enhancing remedies for survivors of childhood sexual abuse
H.1439: Sent to Study
S.1165: In Committee
An act supporting consenting young adults
H.1835: Sent to Study
S.1104: Sent to Study
An act to stop profiling transgender people and low-income women
H.1893: Sent to Study
S.1062: In Committee
An act protecting personal security
H.1973: Sent to Study
S.2615: In Committee
An act relative to LGBTQ+ health disparities
H.2501: In Committee
S.2931: In Committee
An act to promote rehabilitation including guaranteed health, treatment, and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ people
H.2656: In Committee
An act providing gender-neutral bathrooms
H.3317: In Committee
S.2116: In Committee
An act regarding free expression
H.3594: In Committee
S.2796: Passed One Chamber
An act relative to modern family building
H.4550: In Committee
S.2931: In Committee
An act relative to LGBTQ+ inclusive framework
H.4665: In Committee
S.340: In Committee
An act relative to gender-affirming hair removal treatment
S.710: In Committee
An act establishing a commission on the status of transgender people
S.2725: In Committee
An Act relative to gender-affirming hair removal treatment
S.2882: In Committee
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An act relative to justice for survivors hb1587
H.1587: Sent to Study
S.1256: In Committee
An act relative to controlling and abusive litigation hb1594
H.1594: Sent to Study
S.3158: In Committee
An act relative to safe reporting
H.1747: Sent to Study
An act prohibiting motor vehicle tracking devices without consent
H.1773: Sent to Study
An act prohibiting body size discrimination
H.1919: Sent to Study
S.1249: Hearing Held
An act to promote the health and safety of people in the sex trade
H.1980: Sent to Study
An act relative to employment protections for victims of abuse behavior
H.2143: Hearing Scheduled
S.1294: In Committee
An act to study the discrimination of sex work
H.2467: In Committee
An act relative to unsolved homicides
H.4114: In Committee
S.2174: In Committee
An act relative to sexual harassment
H.4537: In Committee
S.1118: In Committee
An act to study the decriminalization of sex work
H.4610: In Committee
An act to promote domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education and training in the field of cosmetology and barbering
H.4978: In Committee
S.200: In Committee
An act relative to sexual harassment in workplace training
H.5023: In Committee
S.1295: In Committee
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An act developing the municipal census from voter registration
H.799: Sent to Study
S.503: In Committee
An act establishing same-day registration of voters
H.834: Sent to Study
S.505: In Committee
An act relative to voting rights restoration
H.874: Sent to Study
S.524: In Committee
An act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care
H.1360: In Committee
S.869: In Committee
An act to modernize participation in public meetings
H.3299: In Committee
An act to promote diversity on public boards and commissions
H.3398: In Committee
S.2160: In Committee
An act enforcing accessibility for voters with disabilities
H.4760: In Committee
S.504: In Committee
An act to modernize participation in public meetings
H.4831: In Committee
An act relative to the regional commissions on the status of women
H.2313: Passed!
S.1464: In Committee
