Your legislators. Your voice.
Our state legislators make decisions every year that affect reproductive health care, privacy and access to comprehensive sex education for our kids. Now more than ever, it is vital that we maintain our pro-reproductive health majority in the Massachusetts Senate and continue to increase our numbers in the House of Representatives.
Where does your legislator stand? Learn more about the 2007-2008 Massachusetts House and Senate!
Stay in touch with your local legislators through the Planned Parenthood Action Network - sign up today!
Intern for the Massachusetts Voter Action Project
PPAF is looking for a group of politically motivated and action-oriented volunteers or interns. Apply for our Voter Action Project and ensure that we strengthen our majority in the Massachusetts State House in 2008!
Planned Parenthood's legislative agenda
An Act to Provide Health Education in Schools
Senate Bill 288,
House Bill 597
This bill would insert health education, as defined by the Department of Education curriculum frameworks, into the core curriculum for Massachusetts Public Schools. Health education includes nutrition, physical education, mental health, safety and injury prevention, reproduction and sexuality, substance abuse and violence prevention. School districts would be required to teach age-appropriate health education in grades K-12. Find out more about this bill.
An Act Relative to Public Health
SB 831, HB 1734
On April 18, 2007, the Supreme Court upheld President Bush’s Federal Abortion Ban with no exception for a woman’s health. With increasing federal restrictions to reproductive health services, now is the time to repeal some of the unconstitutional abortion and contraceptive restrictions in Massachusetts. This bill covers three important areas: an unconstitutional, pre-Roe v. Wade abortion ban, an unconstitutional hospitalization requirement, and a contraceptive restriction to married couples. Find out more about this bill.
Recent Victories
An Act Relative to Access to Reproductive Health Centers
Also known as the Buffer Zones Law, the bill was signed into law by Governor Patrick on November 13, 2007.
The new law creates a fixed 35-foot buffer zone of the entrances and driveways of all of the reproductive health facilities in the state. Protestors would be prohibited from entering the buffer zone, thus protecting patients and staff from harassment and intimidation while entering the facility. Find out more about this bill.
An Act to Provide Timely Access to Emergency Contraception
HB 1643, SB 1319
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is pleased to announce that this important bill became law on December 14, 2005.
Emergency
contraception (EC) is a contraceptive method intended for use after contraceptive
failure, unprotected sex, or sexual assault. EC can prevent pregnancy if taken
within 120 hours after sexual intercourse, although it is most effective the
sooner it is taken. This bill will require hospital emergency rooms to make
emergency contraception (EC) available to rape survivors. In addition, the
bill will allow pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception without a
doctor's prescription, through a collaborative agreement with a physician. The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund is a 501(c)4 organization that serves as the political arm of Planned
Parenthood League of Massachusetts. The Advocacy Fund endorses candidates for elected office at the state level and educates our supporters about the importance of defending reproductive health in the political realm. Advocacy fund staff also provide direct assistance in support of endorsed candidates facing challenging elections.
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