WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HD 5800

The annual report of the Commission on the Status of Women (under Section 66 of Chapter 3 of the General Laws) submitting its annual report for fiscal year 2026

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill documents MCSW FY26 activities, governance, budget, programs, and legislative priorities to advance women’s equality in Massachusetts.

Placed on file
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 5800

Purpose and overall aim

  • The bill presents the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) FY26 Annual Report for fiscal year 2026, detailing the commission’s activities, programs, governance, financials, and legislative priorities.
  • It serves to document MCSW’s mission-related work, provide transparency on operations, and outline impact, outreach, and policy advocacy efforts during FY26.

Key provisions and changes highlighted

  • Organizational and governance information

    • Lists MCSW state commissioners, officers, staff, and interns for FY26.
    • Describes the commission’s mission: advance women and girls toward full equality and provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls in Massachusetts.
    • Catalogs standing committees (Legislative and Public Policy; Program and Planning; Finance; Executive) and regional commissions (11 regional bodies) that support state-level and regional work.
    • Provides an organizational chart and a snapshot of operations, including regional governance structures and the role of regional commissions.

  • Financial overview

    • FY26 General Appropriation: $972,297 (GAA).
    • Trust account: funds donations and external program support (e.g., MCSW Scholarship Program) not covered by GAA.
    • Budget breakdown (operational and programmatic categories): Administrative Operations, Operational Fees, Fringe Benefits, Paid Intern Program, ADA/Language Accommodations, IT, Regional CSW Programs, Advocacy & Community Engagement, etc. Specific line items include: Operational Fees $137,500; Administrative Operation $607,297; Fringe Benefits $14,000; Paid Intern Program $56,000; ADA/Language Accommodations $17,000; Regional CSW Programs & Operations $47,000; Advocacy & Community Engagement $54,500; IT $39,000.
    • Notes about budget process and a related bill (H.3433) proposing to adjust the annual reporting deadline from June 2 to July 31 and allow greater use of the Trust Fund.

  • Programs and program impact

    • GELI Summit 2026: 300+ young women engaged in leadership and civic advocacy at UMass Amherst; workshops on leadership, civic engagement, and related skills; listening sessions on topics like Menstrual Equity, Know Your Rights, Healthy Relationships; 5 scholars awarded (Class of 2026-2027) at $5,000 each.
    • Commonwealth Heroines: 147 women recognized in Class of 2026—the largest class to date.
    • Public hearings and listening sessions: Two hybrid public hearings (North Adams and Brockton) and two virtual listening sessions (Girls and Young Women; Trans Women and Girls).
    • Data collection: COVID-19 and Status Update survey launched; goal to publish full report in June 2026; survey available in multiple languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole).
    • Scholarships: Five $5,000 scholarships awarded for 2026-2027 to women pursuing MA public higher education credentials.
    • Speakers Bureau: Proactively shares the voices of commissioners and staff at diverse events and forums.

  • Legislative agenda and Take Action Hub

    • FY25-26 priorities include multiple bills focused on menstrual equity, board parity, open meeting law modernization for remote participation, public meeting participation, and MCSW statute updates.
    • Take Action Hub launched to facilitate direct contact with legislators on priority bills (e.g., I AM Bill H.2483/S.1549; Parity on Boards H.3398/S.2160; Open Meeting Law remote participation S.2205; Public Meetings H.4831).
    • Consolidated list of 2025-2026 legislative priorities (over 30 bills endorsed) with brief descriptions of each major bill’s aim (e.g., menstrual product access in prisons/public schools, gender parity on public boards, remote participation/remote voting in public bodies, support for birth centers/midwifery workforce, etc.).

  • Regional Commissions

    • Describes the 11 regional CSWs (Berkshire, Bristol, Cape Cod & Islands, Eastern, Essex, Hampden, etc.) and their roles, priorities, and highlights from FY26.
    • Regional activities include hearings, community surveys, legislative outreach, strategic planning, and youth programs like the Ginsburg Initiative (youth-focused) and Parity on Boards advocacy networks.
    • Each region reports accomplishments and goals, such as expanding representation, enhancing language/access services, hosting events (legislative breakfasts, public hearings), and building partnerships with local organizations.

  • Accessibility, equity, and language access

    • Emphasis on providing multilingual materials, ASL interpretation, and accommodations to ensure broad participation across Massachusetts’ diverse populations.

Who/what is affected

  • Women and girls across Massachusetts, including trans women and nonbinary individuals, through GELI, Commonwealth Heroines recognitions, scholarships, and targeted listening sessions.
  • Public boards and commissions via Parity on Boards advocacy and potential regulatory changes.
  • Public participants and communities statewide through hybrid and virtual hearings/listenings that inform policy recommendations.
  • MA state agencies and lawmakers through data-driven policy recommendations and coalition-building.
  • Regions and regional CSWs, which receive guidance, resources, and coordination from the state-level MCSW.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Reporting deadline: FY26 report consolidates activity from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with a note that H.3433 seeks to move the annual reporting deadline to July 31 and expand the trust fund’s allowable uses.
  • Public engagement timeline: Hybrid hearings held in Oct 2025 (North Adams) and Mar 2026 (Brockton); virtual sessions in Nov 2025 (Girls/Young Women) and Feb 2026 (Trans Women/Girls).
  • GELI Summit 2026 occurred in spring 2026 at UMass Amherst; Commonwealth Heroines recognition on June 24, 2026.
  • Data releases: COVID-19 status update survey results anticipated Summer 2026; full GELI event report expected Fall 2026.
  • Take Action Hub operational timeline: launched in FY26 to facilitate direct constituent advocacy on key bills.

Note: The summary reflects content and details provided in the FY26 Annual Report for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, including program descriptions, budgets, and legislative priorities, as presented in the bill text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.