Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators turns 50

At the state house in Boston, gun safety advocates are pitching new gun safety laws to lawmakers that would require gun makers and dealers to operate under an established standard of conduct. According to the legislation, these requirements would ensure those who sell guns keep their inventory secure rather than selling to people who will traffic them. This would also enable the attorney general's office to bring a lawsuit against anyone who violates the requirements. A prominent Beacon Hill Women's Caucus is celebrating their 50th year of operations >> and 22 News state house reporter Olivia Ray has a look at this caucus and how they continue to advance women's rights. >> The state house is celebrating 50 years of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. The caucus is a bipartisan biccamearal group of women representatives and senators who are focused on enhancing the economic status and equality of women and supporting women in government. The caucus advances their priorities by highlighting five bills each legislative session that reflect their core values. This year they're pushing forward on living wages for human service workers, increased access to period products, improved treatment for pancreatic cancer, creating a perinatal healthcare workforce trust fund, and updating genderneutral language in election laws. They also endorse other legislation as second tier priorities that fit into their strategic priorities, like addressing gender and race gaps in healthcare. One of the caucus chairs says the group safeguards Massachusetts women and families from negative changes at the national level. >> We're going to continue to push that legislation forward as well as stand guard to protect our residents against what's coming down from the federal government. Past success of the caucus includes bringing the number of elected women from 14 to 62 in the Bay State and four of last session's priorities were passed into law, including a comprehensive maternal health bill and a wage transparency bill in 2024. Throughout the course of the caucus's 50th year, they're recognizing all 243 women who have served in the Massachusetts State Legislature via a social media campaign. Working for you from the state house in Boston.