Appointed House Chair of the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression

In my second term, I was honored to be appointed House Chair of the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression. In this role, I lead efforts to study, evaluate, and recommend policies that support families during the critical postpartum period. Through this commission, I am working to ensure that parents receive the mental health resources, screenings, and community-based services they need to thrive. 

Serving as chair allows me to bring the voices and experiences of families directly into policy discussions, advocating for solutions that improve both short-term support and long-term well-being. It’s an opportunity to advance mental health equity, reduce stigma, and make Massachusetts a model state for postpartum care. 

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Investing in our Community and Advancing Legislation 

I worked to secure $1,755,000 in funding for vital programs and infrastructure in the 12th Suffolk district. These investments strengthen health care, education, workforce development, and recreational opportunities for residents across our neighborhoods: 

• Black Economic Council of Massachusetts — supporting economic development and small business growth 

• Big Sister Association of Greater Boston — mentoring programs for young girls 

• Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association — providing resources and care for individuals living with sickle cell disease 

• Mattapan Community Health Center — expanding critical health services for local families 

• Mattapan Tech — supporting technology training and digital access programs 

• Lending Library at Hunt/Almont Playground — increasing literacy and community access to books 

• Norfolk Bridge — infrastructure improvements to support safe and reliable transportation 

• PACE/Elder Service Plan Workforce and Infrastructure — enhancing senior services and facilities 

• Smart from the Start MA — expanding early childhood education and family programs 

• St. Stephen's Youth Parent Mentoring Program at Mattahunt Elementary School — supporting youth and parent engagement initiatives 

In addition to securing these funds, I filed 22 bills addressing critical priorities for our district and statewide communities. I also championed former Representative Coppinger’s legislation (An Act to Improve Outcomes for Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease), helping advance meaningful policy to support those living with Parkinson’s and their families. 

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Championing Salary Range Transparency

In my second term, I filed An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency, to ensure that employees and job seekers have access to clear information about compensation. Salary transparency is a critical step toward closing wage gaps and promoting equity in the workplace. 

I had the privilege of speaking on the House floor about the importance of this legislation, sharing how transparent pay practices benefit workers, families, and communities across Massachusetts. I was also appointed to the conference committee for the bill, helping to negotiate the final language and ensure it reflected fairness, clarity, and enforceability. 

Thanks to these efforts, the bill was passed into law, creating stronger protections for employees and promoting equitable pay practices statewide. This law represents a meaningful victory for fairness, accountability, and economic opportunity for workers in every district. 

Watch my floor speech on Salary Range Transparency here. 

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Championing Wage Equity

Additionally, I co-filed a Wage Equity Bill with Representative Cutler that was ultimately passed into law. This legislation is a critical step toward ensuring fair pay for all workers across Massachusetts.  

The law strengthens protections against wage discrimination and promotes transparency in compensation practices, helping to close persistent pay gaps that disproportionately affect women and historically marginalized communities. By advancing this bill, I worked to make sure that hard-working families are fairly compensated for their labor and that equity is embedded in workplaces throughout the state. 

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Creating a Parkinson's Disease Registry in Massachusetts

In 2024, I helped secure a key provision in the Economic Development Bill establishing a Parkinson’s Disease Registry in Massachusetts. This registry allows the state to track cases and analyze data to advance research, shape healthcare policies, and strengthen public health initiatives. 

This is an important step toward understanding Parkinson’s disease more comprehensively, improving treatment strategies, and identifying opportunities for prevention. Equally important, it ensures that families and individuals impacted by Parkinson’s have their experiences and needs recognized in the development of healthcare programs. 

By supporting this provision, I’m working to ensure that Massachusetts leads the way in addressing complex health challenges while keeping the voices of affected residents at the center of policy decisions. 

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Creating the Environmental Justice Trust Fund

In my second term, I led significant groundwork to ensure that penalties collected from environmental violations truly benefit the communities most impacted. Working closely with Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, I co-filed a bill that was ultimately signed into law as the Environmental Justice Trust Fund. 

• This legislation holds bad actors accountable: companies and individuals who violate environmental regulations face meaningful penalties.  

• The penalties are used to specifically to fund projects in environmental justice communities — supporting initiatives that improve air and water quality, public health, green infrastructure, and local resilience. 

By laying the foundation for this law, I ensured that historically overburdened neighborhoods are the first to see benefits when polluters are penalized. 

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Expanding Maternal Health Access - Midwifery Care and Moms Matter Acts 

I advanced and helped pass two landmark pieces of legislation that make Massachusetts a national leader in maternal health. Together, the Midwifery Care Bill and the Moms Matter Act create the strongest maternal health protections in the country. 

The Midwifery Care Bill, which I filed with Representative Kay Khan, expanded MassHealth coverage to support safe, out-of-hospital births and ensures families have access to comprehensive midwifery services. 

The Moms Matter Act strengthened maternal mental health services, including expanded postpartum home visits, counseling, and support programs for parents. These initiatives provide early intervention, reduce stress, and improve outcomes for both parents and babies. 

These laws help ensure that all families in Massachusetts — regardless of background or income — have access to safe, supportive, and culturally responsive maternal care, putting our state at the forefront of protecting mothers and children. 

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Saving Ryan Playground Splashpad: A Community Victory

In my second term, I partnered with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and our local community to save the Ryan Playground Splashpad, a beloved neighborhood institution that has brought families together for decades. Established in 1960, Ryan Playground has long served as a vital gathering place for residents of Mattapan and beyond, offering a safe and welcoming space for recreation and connection. 

When the splashpad faced potential closure, I worked tirelessly with DCR and community members to keep it open and ensure its future. Through collaborative efforts, we not only preserved the splashpad but also expanded the park, enhancing its amenities to better serve the needs of our growing community. 

This victory is a testament to the power of community advocacy and the importance of preserving public spaces that foster connection, joy, and resilience. By saving Ryan Playground, we have ensured that future generations will continue to have a place to play, gather, and build lasting memories.