193rd Legislative Session Victories
This legislative session was a testament to how powerful state and local action can be. In the face of federal regression, Massachusetts continues to move forward, leading the country with progressive legislation uplifting all people within the Commonwealth. Along with our coalition partners, Mass NOW celebrated 26 wins this session, from bills increasing wage transparency to the Campaign Funds for Childcare Bill!
Many of our successes advanced reproductive justice, in large part thanks to Governor Healey’s signing of the “Momnibus Bill” in August, which was a pivotal piece of legislation supporting mothers and people who give birth! We greatly expanded access to hormonal contraceptives, which can now be prescribed by pharmacists, and further celebrated victories for birthing justice, including expanded access to midwifery care and out-of-birth hospital options, paid pregnancy loss leave, and required coverage for postpartum depression screenings by MassHealth. Last but most certainly not least: the passage of the Campaign Funds for Childcare Bill enabled more working parents, particularly mothers, to participate in our democratic system by running for public office.
The legislature took steps to promote workers’ rights in the pivotal Wage Transparency Bill. Employees and job applicants are now provided a pay scale, which will lessen the gender pay gap and give workers the tools they need to advocate for fair compensation. We welcome this major win for workers’ rights!
We equally welcomed this session’s expansions on legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. The 193rd Session passed a bill establishing a NonBinary “X” gender marker on Massachusetts-issued IDs, allowing countless Gender Non-Conforming, Nonbinary, Two-Spirited, and Queer people to have identification that accurately reflects who they are. The legislature took yet another leap towards this goal in passing the Massachusetts Parentage Act, which amended the state’s outdated parentage law to include LGBTQ+ families and expand legal protections. Now more than ever, it is necessary to make it abundantly clear that LGBTQ+ people and families are not only welcomed but celebrated in Massachusetts. We applaud the legislature for their efforts in passing these Bills!
As we enter the 194th Session, we recognize that the federal landscape makes state-level protections more essential than in past sessions. We are committed to making the Commonwealth a place of justice and sanctuary for all communities, especially those targeted by the current administration: communities of Color, immigrant communities, the LGBTQ+ community, people seeking reproductive healthcare, and many others. As we celebrate our recent wins, we know there’s much more to be done and look forward to continued progress!
Endorsed Bills Passed in the 193rd Legislative Session
Reproductive Justice:
Hormonal Contraceptives Bill (H. 2133, S. 1430)- Allows pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. Passed as part of the FY24 Budget
Paid Pregnancy Loss Leave Bill (H.4278, S.1201)- Includes pregnancy loss as a qualifying event to use earned sick time. This includes failed IVF, failed adoption, and miscarriage. Achieved through an amendment to the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law and went into effect on November 21, 2024
Pharmacists able to prescribe, dispense, and administer PrEP Bill (S. 2480)- Legislation to enable pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer PrEP. Status: Addressed in the 2025 fiscal state budget, which allows for preventative medications for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (including PrEP) to be dispensed by pharmacists without a prescription.
Postpartum Depression Screening Bill (H.2163 & S. 1375)- Requires MassHealth to cover postpartum depression screening for 12 months after birth. Added to the “Momnibus” bill (H.4785) and signed by the Governor on 8/26
Promoting Access to Midwifery Care and Out-of-Hospital Birth Options Bill (H.4785)- Expanding licensing for midwives. Signed by the Governor on 8/26
Racial Justice:
Keeping Families Connected Bills (H. 1796 → H.4517, S. 1494 → S.2773)- Phone calls are now free of charge to the person placing or the person receiving the call. This applies to state prisons, county jails, and state juvenile detention centers. Bill signed into law by Governor Healey on November 16, 2023.
Economic Justice:
Affordable and Accessible Childcare for All Bill (H. 489 & S. 301 → S.2707)- The state must provide affordable and accessible early education and childcare. Language included in the FY24 budget to expand eligibility for childcare subsidies and improve pay for early educators.
Campaign Funds for Childcare Bill (S. 422)- Candidates running for public office can use their campaign funds for their childcare needs. Included in the Economic Development Bond Bill, which was passed and signed into law in November 2024
Establishing a Women’s Veterans Network Bill (S. 2360)- Created the first women’s veteran network that reaches out to female veterans to provide support. Adopted as an amendment in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget and signed into law by Governor Healey on July 29, 2024. The Women Veterans Network (WVN) currently works to “[empower] women veterans” and advocate for their wellbeing.
Improving Healthcare Delivery for Underserved Residents Bill (S. 1402)- Marshalls the skills of seasoned, internationally-trained physicians to address acute physician shortages in Massachusetts by creating a streamlined pathway to full licensure. Included in an Economic Development Bill and signed into law by Governor Healey in November, 2024
State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) 2.0 Bill (H.2204 / S.1334 → Amendment #34 on S.2856)- Improved and updated the public health system; ensures strong public health protections for all residents, regardless of race, income, or zip code. Signed into law in part by the Governor in Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024
Wage transparency Bill (H. 1849 & S. 1191 → H.4890)- Employers shall provide pay scale for employee/applicant. Signed into law on July 31, 2024 by Governor Healey
LGBTQ+ Rights:
An Act Relative to Gender Identity on Massachusetts Identification Bill (H.3368, S.2429)- 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. Passed as part of the FY24 Budget.
Massachusetts Parentage Act Bill (H.4672, S.947)- Updated Massachusetts’ outdated parentage law so that it is clear, equitable, and provides legal protection for all families, including LGBTQ+ families. Passed and signed into law by Governor Healey in August of 2024
Gender Based Violence:
An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation Bill (H. 4241 → H.4744)- An amalgamation of multiple bills were passed, which added coercive control and technological abuse to the civil protection law to recognize less visible forms of abuse. Signed by the Governor on 6/20/24
