Local State Reps. Show Support For Candidate Childcare Bill

MALDEN, MA — State Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D, Melrose) has received support from fellow State Reps. Paul Donato (D, Medford) and Steve Ultrino (D, Malden) for legislation that proposes allowing politicians to use campaign funds for childcare expenses in certain situations.

The potential bill, titled An Act empowering parental participation in elected office, would give candidates the ability to fund childcare through campaign contributions while they are participating in campaign activities. Lipper-Garabedian has been a driving force behind trying to get the bill passed. One stated goal of the legislation is to encourage more parents to run for local office.

“In a state where we are spending significant fiscal and policy attention on the childcare ecosystem and where we grapple with issues impacting children and families more generally on a daily basis, it is imperative that parents of all backgrounds be represented in our local elected bodies and state offices,” Lipper-Garabedian said.

According to 2024 study from Vote Mama Foundation, just 4.5 percent of Massachusetts state legislators, Representative Lipper-Garabedian among them, are mothers with children who are younger than 18 years old.

Donato expressed how he feels the bill is essential to ensuring that local policies are geared toward the needs of families.

“This legislation will break down economic barriers and open the door for many candidates running for office,” Ultrino said. “With this bill, Massachusetts will empower more caregivers to run for office and diversify candidate pools.”

The bill now requires final approval from Gov. Maura Healey.