Senate Addresses Housing Crisis, Reproductive Care, Mental Health with Budget Amendments

 Senate Addresses Housing Crisis, Reproductive Care, Mental Health with Budget Amendments

301 amendments added to FY2026 budget during first day of deliberations 

(BOSTON—5/20/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today added provisions to the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget to address the housing crisis and combat threats to reproductive and mental health care.  

In total, the Senate moved through 671 amendments during the first day of debate. The chamber adopted 301 amendments and rejected 208 amendments. 

“Few issues are more urgent than tackling our housing crisis and protecting reproductive freedom,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Amendments help ensure our budget reflects the values and priorities of communities across Massachusetts—and make a strong budget even stronger. I’m grateful to every member for their thoughtful contributions and look forward to continuing the debate tomorrow.” 

“The first day of substantive debate on the Senate Fiscal Year 2026 has seen the passage of impactful amendments concerning housing and addressing mental health and reproductive care in Massachusetts,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The budget is reflective of our values, and this budget is a strong example of the Senate’s compassionate and socially aware value system for the Commonwealth. We have long recognized housing access and affordability as one of the top priorities of this Chamber, and I’m pleased we continue to address that imbalance. We will always stand to safeguard mental health and reproductive freedom in our state.” 

Among the amendments passed by the Senate are:  Unlocking Housing Production — Amendment 249 To address the housing crisis across Massachusetts, the amendment kickstarts studies: for a sales tax exemption for multifamily housing projects stalled by federal tariffs; enabling third-party inspectors to expedite new housing inspections; and to incentivize new affordable housing developments when considering local tax levy requirements. 

The amendment was adopted by a roll call vote of 40-0.  

Affordable Homeownership Program for First Generation, First Time Homebuyers — Amendment 19 To support new homebuyers, the amendment allocates $500,000 to sustain a matched savings program for first-generation, first-time homebuyers in Massachusetts. 

Funding for Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children — Amendment 543  The amendment explicitly designates $4.8 million for the Pocasset Mental Health Center for mental health services and operations and $31 million for the continued operation of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. 

The amendment was adopted by a roll call vote of 39-0.  

Abortion Access Task Force — Amendment 473 

The amendment requires the Department of Public Health to form a strategic task force to prepare recommendations for the continuity of abortion and abortion-related care in the Commonwealth in the event of loss of federal funding. 

Abortion Legal Hotline — Amendment 475 

The amendment adds $150,000 for Reproductive Equity Now Foundation, Inc. to operate a free and confidential abortion legal hotline for Massachusetts-based health care providers and helpers, as well as patients obtaining care in state. 

Return to School Bridge Programs — Amendment 533 

The amendment adds $500,000 for expansion of Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition programs, which integrate mental health and other services to support middle and high school students returning to school after extended physical or mental health-related absences. 

Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program — Amendment 564 

The amendment adds $500,000 for the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Schools, providing funding to support a statewide program to improve access and strengthen child and adolescent mental health services in schools. 

Massachusetts School Building Authority Commission — Amendment 726 

The amendment creates a commission to review the Massachusetts School Building Authority and the needs of school facilities. 

Food Literacy — Amendment 625 

The amendment adds $1 million to support farm-to-school and food system literacy programming in public elementary and secondary schools and early education programs. 

Community-Based Perinatal Support Program Grants — Amendment 413 

The amendment adds $220,000 to fund new perinatal mental health support programs for new parents established in the 2024 maternal health act. 

A full list of amendments to the Senate’s budget and their status is available online.  

The Senate’s budget debate will continue tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. and be livestreamed online.