Campaign Childcare

An Act Supporting Parents Running for Public Office - H.669 - S.422

  • Allows candidates for office to pay for necessary child care expenses from campaign funds

  • Catches MA up to states like Texas, Alabama, and Wisconsin

Currently, childcare costs incurred during campaign events and activities are considered personal expenses and therefore not eligible for reimbursement under MA law. This bill would allow state and local candidates to use their campaign funds to pay for campaign-related childcare expenses. Childcare should be treated like other allowable expenses, such as printing literature and purchasing tuxedos for campaign events. This bill would eliminate a major barrier for parents seeking public office in their communities and advance equitable political representation throughout the Commonwealth.

the decision makers

Joint Committee on Election Laws

Who on committee has co-sponsored:

state senators:

John Keenanred x
John Keenan (D)
Quincy

chair

Adam Gomezgreen check
Adam Gomez (D)

chair

James Eldridgegreen check
James Eldridge (D)
Acton
Ryan Fattmanred x
Ryan Fattman (R)
Sutton
Cynthia Creemred x
Cynthia Creem (D)
Newton
Jacob Oliveiragreen check
Jacob Oliveira (D)

state representatives:

Daniel Ryanred x
Daniel Ryan (D)
Boston

chair

Tommy Vitolored x
Tommy Vitolo (D)
Brookline

chair

Sally Keransred x
Sally Kerans (D)
Jessica Gianninored x
Jessica Giannino (D)
Alan Silviared x
Alan Silvia (D)
Patrick Kearneygreen check
Patrick Kearney (D)
Scituate
Carol Dohertygreen check
Carol Doherty (D)
Daniel Careyred x
Daniel Carey (D)
Easthampton
Meghan Kilcoynered x
Meghan Kilcoyne (D)
Paul Frostred x
Paul Frost (R)
Auburn
Bradley Jonesred x
Bradley Jones (R)
North Reading

Who has co-sponsored:

History of the bill

2025

May 2024

Reported favorably and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means

Feb 2024

Reporting date extended to May 28, 2024

2024

Jan 2023

Bill re-introduced as H.669

Feb 2023

Referred to the Joint Committee on Election Laws

2023

Apr 2022

Reporting date extended to June 10th, 2022

Oct 2022

Sent to Study (Study Order H.5307)

Mar 2022

Reporting date extended to April 15th, 2022

2022

Sep 2021

Hearing held by the Committee on Election Laws

Mar 2021

Referred to the Committee on Election Laws

Jan 2021

Bill re-introduced as H.769

2021

Feb 2020

Sent to Study

2020

May 2019

Committee Hearing (Election Laws)

Sep 2019

During debate on H.4087, House doesn't adopt this law as amendment, but creates a commission to "study" the issue

2019

Dec 2018

Bill dies after not being taken up by the House

Apr 2018

Favorably reported by Election Laws Committee

2018

Jan 2017

Bill introduced as H.2898

2017

Advocacy Organizations

MA Caucus of Women Legislators
Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women