Legislative Victories

Despite a slow and painstaking 2023-24 legislative session, LWVMA scored major wins: An Act Modernizing Firearms, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options, and An Act relative to the reduction of certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment will save lives–protecting residents from ghost guns, firefighters from cancer-causing chemicals, and ensuring access to midwives. In addition, the Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act will reduce the gender wage gap.

Eight appeared to be the magic number this session. Massachusetts became the eighth state to include coercive control in the definition of domestic violence–a feat given this was the first session the bill was filed–and the eighth state to offer universal school meals to all students. The Commonwealth also added eight family court judges to relieve the heavy caseload burden in probate and family court. As the affordable housing crisis continues, LWVMA priorities of eviction sealing and an access to counsel pilot program were enacted. 

Review a complete list of our wins here. Questions about specific bills? Email specialists@lwvma.org.