2021-2022

Legislative Priorities for the Commission

An Act Providing Affordable and Accessible High Quality Early Education and Care to Promote Child Development and Well-Being and Support the Economy in the Commonwealth. (S.362/H.605)

    1. Lead Sponsors: Sen. Jason M. Lewis (Melrose) and Reps. Kenneth I. Gordon (Bedford/Burlington) & Rep Adrian C. Madaro.

    2. Coalition: Common Start Coalition

    3. Status: Referred to the Joint Committee on Education.

    4. The Common Start Bill would establish a universal system of affordable, high-quality early education and child care for all Massachusetts families over a 5 year timeline. The system would cover early education and care for children age birth through 5, after and out of school time for children age 5-12, and children with special needs through age 15.

    5. Further Information: https://commonstartma.org/

An Act supporting Parents Running for Public Office (S.475/H.769)

    1. Lead Sponsors: Sen. Patricia Jehlen and Reps. Mike Connolly and Joan Meschino, Coalition: Campaign Funds for Child Care Coalition – led by MCSW.

    2. Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Election Laws.

    3. Many working parents are discouraged from running for public office because of financial reasons. This bill would clarify that child care expenses for times while campaigning are not considered personal expenses.

      • Adds “Child Care” of the candidate child, for professional or casual babysitting services, but not to the relative, unless the relative is licensed, to the list of allowable campaign expenditures.

      • Specifies that the child care can only be a campaign expenditure only if the need would not otherwise exist but for the existence of the campaign itself.

    4. Fact sheet


Act Relative to Employment Protections for Victims of Abusive Behaviors (“Protected At Work”) (HB 2018/SB 1173)

    1. Lead Sponsors: Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem

    2. Status: Referred to the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

    3. Because an employer should not be able to fire someone simply because they are the victim of abuse.

      • The bill addresses gaps in current law that leave victims of abusive behavior vulnerable at work.

      • This bill adds to existing employment nondiscrimination laws a prohibition again discrimination based on status as a victim of abusive behavior.

    4. Fact Sheet

We also support the State Commission's legislative priorities and will consider endorsing other legislation. Please contact us at umwomencommission@gmail.com.