Our economy, healthcare infrastructure, education system, and community vitality depends on public health. I have been a vocal advocate in the Senate to protect you, your loved ones, and our communities from deadly and preventable diseases – including COVID-19 – throughout my tenure in the Legislature.

This session, Representative Paul Donato, Representative Andy Vargas, and I re-filed the Community Immunity Act, a bill to create standardized and centralized immunizations requirements and exemption processes for child care centers, K-12 schools, summer camps, and colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth. I have also been a leader in progressive policy to reduce disparities in maternal health and expand access to midwifery care in Massachusetts, as much work is needed to close race and income-based disparities in maternal health care.

 

A critical component of public health is abortion care, and any person seeking an abortion should be able to make that decision with the support of a trusted medical provider, without interference from lawmakers or fear of legal repercussions. I am deeply proud to use my experience as a scholar in reproductive justice and the law to protect and advance reproductive freedom and the right to choose here in Massachusetts.

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LEAD-SPONSORED LEGISLATION   

• S.125 | An Act providing for diaper changing stations in public buildings and accommodations

• S.212 | An Act supporting access to training on reproductive and gender-affirming care

• S.346 | An Act ensuring access to mental health supports in K-12 schools

• S.706 | An Act relative to pediatric care appointments

• S.707 | An Act expanding health insurance access for state employees

• S.708 | An Act enhancing post-pregnancy mental health care

• S.800 | An Act relative to the fair treatment of life estates in MassHealth Eligibility

• S.801 | An Act strengthening health spending accountability processes within the health policy commission and the center for health information and analysis

• S.847 | An Act to support college students in recovery

• S.1108 | An Act prohibiting body size discrimination

• S.1114 | An Act enhancing access to abortion care

• S.1219 | An Act to establish a standard for prevention of heat illness in outdoor public sector workers

• S.1456 | An Act prohibiting the sale of dextromethorphan to minors

• S.1457 | An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options

• S.1458 | An Act promoting community immunity

• S.1459 | An Act modernizing birth certificates

• S.1460 | An Act relative to determinations of need

• S.1579 | An Act to ensure compliance with the anti-shackling law for pregnant incarcerated women

• S.1580 | An Act relative to health education in women's correctional institutions

• S.1924 | An Act relative to mental health promotion through realistic advertising images

• S.2178 | An Act relative to better buildings

• S.2288 | An Act establishing a zero-emission school buses grant program