Bill paves the way for new nonprofit operator six years after catastrophic flooding and Steward Health Care’s collapse left the region without a hospital AUGUST 3, 2026 The Massachusetts Legislature enacted emergency public health legislation to clear the way for a speedy revitalization of Norwood Hospital. The legislation, H.5553, allows the state to take the Norwood Hospital property by eminent domain and transfer it to a new, nonprofit operator. Residents of many commun

Strengthens oversight, improves educational support, expands youth rights, and increases transparency across the Commonwealth's child welfare system AUGUST 3, 2026 The Massachusetts Legislature passed comprehensive legislation to strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability within the Commonwealth’s child welfare system. An Act Enhancing Child Welfare Protections strengthens and builds on the work of existing entities including the Office of the Child Advocate (OC

Bill creates new licensure structure for home care agencies AUGUST 3, 2026 The Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill that establishes a licensure process for home care agencies to ensure that consumers receive quality non-medical services and home care workers are protected. An Act to improve Massachusetts home care creates a licensing and oversight process for home care agencies whose staff provide care such as dressing, meal preparation, bathing, companionship, and othe

Ensures Access to Abortion Care is Allowed After 24 Weeks of Pregnancy AUGUST 3, 2026 The Massachusetts Legislature voted to expand reproductive healthcare for Massachusetts residents by removing restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy. According to Reproductive Equity Now, under current law, dozens of Massachusetts patients each year are forced to leave the state to access abortion care after 24 weeks, even in cases involving devastating diagnoses or risks to

Bill aims to prevent political bias in library decisions, protect librarians from reprisals AUGUST 3, 2026 The Massachusetts Legislature took action to protect freedom of thought and expression in Massachusetts schools and public libraries and safeguard open access to books and other educational materials. As school and public libraries nationally are increasingly faced with politically-charged debates over banning access to particular library books, the bill—An Act regard

Legislation establishes statewide standards governing interactions between state, local and federal immigration enforcement JULY 31, 2026 The Massachusetts Legislature recently passed sweeping legislation to protect residents from overreach by federal immigration authorities and to ensure that local and state law enforcement are not involved in federal immigration enforcement. If signed into law, the legislation would create among the strongest protections in the nation for r

JULY 29, 2026 Co-Chairs of the Conference Committee tasked with reconciling the House and Senate versions of the PROTECT Act announced on Wednesday, July 29th that compromised legislation had been reached. Ongoing actions by this federal government have been detrimental to the safety and security of many communities across the nation. ICE in particular continues to engage unlawfully, sowing terror in communities that has ultimately left families fearful of sending their child

Legislation creates AI safety guardrails, funds housing and research, bans deceptive cryptocurrency kiosks, implements ‘fun agenda’ JULY 24, 2026 Following two days of debate, Senator William J. Driscoll, Jr. (D-Milton) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass an economic development package that lifts up small businesses and burgeoning industries, bans predatory kiosks used in cryptocurrency scams, and reins in the potential dangers of artificial intelligenc

Special recognition would help immediate family honor their loved ones JULY 17, 2026 The Massachusetts Legislature recently passed legislation to create a new special license plate to honor the memories of fallen law enforcement officers by offering a symbol of respect to their surviving spouses, parents, and children. The bill—S.2903, An Act honoring Blue Star Families—directs the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to create a new Blue Star Families plate to help the fami

Bill creates new licensure structure for home care workers, including background checks and a public list of verified agencies JULY 17, 2026 Senator William J. Driscoll, Jr. (D-Milton) recently joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass legislation that helps older adults age in place in Massachusetts by improving the industry that assists elders with basic care like cooking, dressing, and bathing. The Senate’s legislation strengthens the integrity of the h