2025 Legislative Review

Written By MassachusettsNOW .

Fall 2025 Mass NOW Team, Tanvi, Ally, Katherine, Sasha, Danielle, Nicole, Jennifer, Kyla (Left to Right).

As the year comes to a close, Mass NOW remains dedicated to championing intersectional feminist policies, supporting the most extensive legislative agenda in our nearly 60-year history. This year, we added new bills to our agenda, created new meaningful partnerships, and saw unprecedented movement for our priority bills. With the non-stop community-building and advocacy we have done this year, we look forward to continuing our mobilization to pass our feminist agenda next year!

Two of our three menstrual equity bills, the Ingredient Disclosure bill & the I AM Bill, both passed the Senate unanimously in October, and the Public Buildings bill is in the House & Senate Ways & Means Committees. We’re thrilled that all three bills are on the move, but we need your help reaching out to State Representatives to make sure they’re brought to a vote in the House! Even if you’ve written your legislator before, please take 2 minutes to write your State Representative to urge they bring the bills to a vote in the House!

Updates at a glance:

  • 119 of our 128 endorsed bills have had a Hearing

  • 52 bills have been reported favorably out of Committee

  • 2 bills have passed one chamber - menstrual equity update

  • 4 of our endorsed bills have passed! 

With the help of 8 policy interns and 2 Co-Ops from Northeastern, we submitted written testimony on a record 40 bills! Testimony can be submitted by an organization or individual in support of bills to urge committee members to vote our endorsed bills out favorably. The more testimony submitted on a bill, the greater the likelihood it will advance. Mass NOW’s testimony  offers an intersectional feminist perspective, naming the real impacts on women’s lives, outlining how policy change would provide support, and centering an intersectional analysis of how women of color, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups are uniquely affected.

Although we have made so much progress already this legislative session, the fight isn’t over until the bills get signed, and it takes grassroots organizing to make that happen. To add your voice in support of one of the bills on our feminist agenda, use the Find my Legislator tool to find your legislator’s email.

While we’re taking stock of our progress thus far this session, we urge you to take action– no headway could be made without you, our dedicated activists and allies! By submitting individual testimony, showing up to events, and reaching out to your legislators about the causes important to you, you’re helping create a more just, equitable, and feminist future!

  • Reproductive Justice: 20
    Racial Justice: 39
    Economic Justice: 31
    LGBTQ+ Rights: 16
    Gender-Based Violence: 14
    Constitutional Equity: 8

  • Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity: 2

    Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities: 3

    Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure: 1

    Education: 13

    Election Laws: 5

    Environment and Natural Resources: 1

    Financial Services: 8

    Health Care Financing: 6

    Higher Education: 2

    Housing: 3

    Judiciary: 30

    Labor and Workforce Development: 3

    Municipalities & Regional Government: 2

    Public Health: 13

    Public Safety and Homeland Security: 10

    Revenue: 5

    Rules: 1

    State Administration & Regulatory Oversight: 13

    Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy: 1

    Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development: 3

    Steering, Policy, and Scheduling: 1

  • Reproductive Justice: 12

    1. An Act relative to Healthy Youth

    2. An Act relative to Menstrual Product Ingredient Disclosure

    3. An Act to Increase Access to Menstrual Products in Public Buildings

    4. An Act to Increase Access to Disposable Menstrual Products        

    5. An Act An act providing for Safe and Consensual Sensitive Examinations

    6. An Act Promoting and Enhancing the Sustainability of Birth Centers and the Midwifery Workforce

    7. An Act Relative to the Well-Being of New Mothers and Infants

    8. An Act to Protect Location Privacy

    9. An Act Relative to the Creation of an Endometriosis Taskforce

    10. An Act Relative to IUD Pain Management Coverage

    11. The Menopause Awareness Bill

    12. An Act Expanding Access to Hygiene Products

    Racial Justice: 11

    • An Act establishing a Jail and Prison Construction Moratorium

    • An Act prohibiting the use of Native American Mascots by Public Schools in the Commonwealth

    • An Act Relative to Celebrating and Teaching Native American Culture and History

    • An Act to protect the Civil Rights and Safety of All Massachusetts residents

    • An Act requiring Clean Slate Automated Record Sealing

    • An Act to Build Restorative Family and Community Connection

    • An Act Establishing an Indigenous People’s Day

    • An Act ensuring access to Equitable Representation in Immigration proceedings

    • Banning Legacy Preferences in Higher Education

    • An Act protecting Youth during Custodial Interrogations

    • An Act Relative to Human Rights and Improved Outcomes for Incarcerated People

    Economic Justice: 7

    • An Act to fix the Chapter 70 Inflation Adjustment

    • An Act Enabling Cities and Towns to Stabilize Rents and Protect Residents

    • An Act establishing a Climate Change Superfund

    • An Act to Provide Sunlight to State Government

    • An Act to address Medical Debt through Hospital Financial Assistance Reform

    • An Act ensuring Equitable Health Coverage for Children

    • An Act Relative to Health Care Quality for Children and Youth

    LGBTQ+ Rights: 7

    • An Act Relative to LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum

    • An Act relative to Modern Family Building

    • An Act regarding Free Expression

    • An Act to promote Comprehensive and Inclusive Curriculum in Schools

    • An Act Protecting Personal Security (Passed!)

    • An Act Providing for Gender Neutral Bathrooms

    • An Act Relative to LGBTQ+ Health Disparities

    Gender-Based Violence: 4

    • An Act to Promote the Health and Safety of People in the Sex Trade

    • An Act Relative to Employment Protections for Victims of Abusive Behavior

    • An Act Relative to Safe Reporting

    • An Act Relative to Controlling and Abusive Litigation

    Constitutional Equity: 1

    • An Act to Promote Diversity on Public Boards and Commissions

    Oppose: 2

    • An Act to Strengthen Justice and Support for Sex Trade Survivors

    • An Act Relative to Defending the Autonomy and Integrity of Student Athletes and Coaches

    1. An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products     

    2. An Act relative to menstrual product ingredient disclosure       

    3. Banning Legacy Preferences in Higher Education

    4. An Act to Increase Access to Menstrual Products in Public Buildings

    5. An Act to Promote Public Safety and Better Outcomes for Youth (Raise the Age)

    6. An Act Protecting All Massachusetts Communities (Safe Communities Act)

    7. An Act to Promote Diversity on Public Boards and Commissions (Parity on Boards)

    8. An Act Relative to Sexual Assault by an Officer

    9. An Act Promoting and Enhancing the Sustainability of Birth Centers and the Midwifery Workforce

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3rd Annual Menstrual Equity Summit