Legislative Priorities, 2025-2026 Legislative Session
Through an inclusive and extensive process, the MCWL selected the following five top legislative priorities for the 2025-2026 legislative session, all of which support our overarching strategic priorities. We will work to advance these legislative priorities throughout the session through advocacy, education, and coalition-building.
An Act relative to a livable wage for human service workers (H.233, Rep. Domb & S.130, Sen. Friedman )
This bill addresses disparities between the rate of pay for human services workers employed directly by the state and those employed by agencies with state contracts. Requires the state, over the course of 4 years, to increase the rate of reimbursement for human services providers to reduce and ultimately eliminate the pay disparity. An estimated 80% of human service workers in MA are women, and nearly 1/3 are people of color. Human service workers are more likely to live below 150% of the poverty level, have lower median wages, and have lower household incomes than workers in other industries. This bill supports our “Elevating Women’s Economic Opportunity & Eliminating Barriers” Strategic Priority.
An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products (H.2483, Rep. Barber and Rep. Livingstone & S.1549, Sen. Jehlen)
This bill requires all schools, prisons, and homeless shelters to provide free access to menstrual products. Period poverty impacts the lives and abilities of menstruators to fully participate in society. For many, this is a large expense and something that is not as accessible as needed. Period products are a basic need that should be provided in schools and other settings. This bill supports our “Addressing Racial & Gender Disparities in Health Care” Strategic Priority.
An Act to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer (H.2432 Rep. Kane, Rep. Gentile & S.1484 Sen. Comerford) This bill would create a program to help prevent, detect, and treat pancreatic cancer in Massachusetts. It would set up a group of medical experts, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals to improve hospital care, encourage research, and provide doctors with better resources. The bill also calls for a statewide study to collect data on pancreatic cancer cases, including how and when people are diagnosed and treated. There would be a public awareness campaign to teach people about risk factors, symptoms, and early warning signs. The state would also review insurance coverage for genetic testing and update a past study on the costs of screening for high-risk individuals. This bill supports our “Addressing Racial & Gender Disparities in Health Care” Strategic Priority.
An Act to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund (H.2208 Rep. Fluker-Reid & S.1411 Sen. Miranda) This bill would create a Perinatal Behavioral Health Care Workforce Trust Fund to improve mental and behavioral health care for people during and after pregnancy in Massachusetts. The fund would provide grants to programs that train and expand the workforce of mental health professionals specializing in perinatal care. Priority would be given to programs serving communities with limited healthcare access or significant racial, ethnic, or geographic health disparities. The state would also publish an annual report detailing how grant funds are used, who benefits from the programs, and the impact on healthcare shortages. This bill supports our “Addressing Racial & Gender Disparities in Health Care” Strategic Priority.
An Act relative to gender neutral language in elections law (H.804 Rep. Blais) This bill proposes updating the language used in Massachusetts election laws to be more inclusive. Specifically, it replaces gendered terms such as "he," "his," "chairman," and "selectmen" with gender-neutral alternatives like "they," "their," "chairperson," and "select board." This bill supports our “Empowering Women in Government” Strategic Priority.
Endorsed Legislation
In addition to the above top 5 legislative priorities, the MCWL also endorsed the following 20 pieces of legislation. These bills all speak to at least one of our strategic priorities.
Under “Elevating Women’s Economic Opportunity & Eliminating Barriers” Strategic Priority
An Act relative to controlling and abusive litigation (H.1594 Rep. Blais & S.1205 Sen. Moore)
An Act establishing a diaper benefits pilot program (H.220, Rep. Domb, Rep. Cataldo & S.151, Sen. Lovely)
An Act Designating Domestic Workers' Rights Day (H.3417 Rep. Sousa)
Under “Addressing Racial & Gender Disparities in Health Care” Strategic Priority
An Act providing for safe and consensual sensitive examinations (H.2401 Rep. Ferguson, Rep. Domb & S.1485 Sen. Comerford)
An Act promoting and enhancing the sustainability of birth centers and the midwifery workforce (H.1117 Rep. Sabadosa, Rep. Cruz & S.784 Sen. Lovely)
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.2499 Rep. Meschino)
An Act relative to the creation of an endometriosis task force ( H.2527 Rep. Sabadosa, Rep. Hendricks& S.1564 Sen. Kennedy)
An Act to increase access to menstrual products in public buildings (H.3318 Rep. Domb & S.2156 & Sen. Jehlen)
An Act relative to menstrual product ingredient disclosure (H.2375 Rep. Blais & S.1483 Sen. Comerford)
An Act designating September as PCOS Awareness Month (H.3392 Rep. Montaño & S.2173 Sen. Miranda)
An Act to increase access to nurse-midwifery services (H.1127 Rep. Fluker-Reid, Rep. Decker & S.697 Sen. Crighton)
An Act relative to the well-being of new mothers and infants (H.1924 Rep. O’Day & S.1171 Sen. Lovely)
An Act relative to chaperones for medical exams (H.2362 Rep. Armini, Rep. Higgins & S. 1491 Sen. Crighton)
An Act relative to patient access to biomarker testing to provide appropriate therapy (H.1227 Rep. Kilcoyne and S.809 Sen. Oliveira)
An Act to protect location privacy (H.86 Rep. Lipper-Garabedian, Rep Vieira & Sen. Creem S.197)
Under “Empowering Women in Government” Strategic Priority
