2025/26 Term Highlights

Making Health Care More Accessible

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, passed a package of health care bills addressing the primary care shortage that include a new medical school at URI and a loan repayment program for providers.

Passed a bill funding 988 suicide prevention hotline and acute mental health outreach and stabilization services.

Passed legislation in the Senate to reduce maternal mortality for pregnant and postpartum women with preeclampsia and prevent premature births by requiring eligible women to be supplies with blood pressure cuffs for self monitoring.

Passed a bill expanding access to free lead testing for children that also streamlined the process, saving the state money.

Pushing Back Against Insurance Companies and Big Pharma

Sponsored a bill prohibiting auto insurance companies from considering your credit score when determining your rate.

Passed a bill removing prior authorization requirement for necessary services and medications, because it is your provider, not insurance companies that know what is best for your health.

Building upon my bill signed into law in 2021 that capped co-pays for insulin at $40 a month, sponsored and passed legislation in the Senate capping the cost of diabetes and glucose monitoring supplies to $25 a month with no deductible.

Passed Legislation in the Senate capping the cost of inhalers for asthma, COPD, and other pulmonary diseases to $25 per month with no deductible.

Fighting for Our Community

Amended a new commission to ensure the state doesn’t continue to consider Woonsocket as its dumping ground for bio-solid waste when the sludge treatment facility closes.

Passed a law prohibiting supermarkets from using restrictive covenants that create “food deserts” and prevent communities like Woonsocket from attracting new grocery stores.

Passed early lease termination for domestic abuse survivors, making it easier for survivors to flee their abusive partners without ruining their credit.

Defending Working Families

Created the state’s first child tax credit.

Enacted a millionaire’s tax to ensure high-income earners pay their fair share, lessening the burden on low and middle-income families.

Expanded temporary disability and paid family leave.

Improving Education

Increased state aid to Woonsocket schools by $1.2 million, relieving pressure on local property taxes.

Passed a law banning student cell phone usage during school instructional hours.

Senator Murray’s law banning the cruel practice of declawing cats earned her the Defenders of Animals Humane Heroes Award last year. And this year, Veterans of Foreign Wars named her Legislator of the Year in recognition of her commitment to fund vital services for veterans.

Other Notable Bills:

Passed a law in 2024 that created a $50,000 tangible personal property exemption, eliminating this onerous tax for 75% of our smallest and family-owned businesses.

Sponsored a law raising sales limit for local craft breweries and distilleries, allowing them to expand and attract more tourism dollars.

Passed a law requiring the state crime lab to audit its database and identify missing DNA samples of sexual and violent offenders to help solve cold cases and bring justice to victims.

Passed a bill in 2024 that banned the cruel and unnecessary declawing of cats.

Passed a law codifying PTSI disability benefits for our fire fighters and police into state law to help bring awareness of the mental health needs of our first responders and de-stigmatize access to mental health care.

Secured more than $25,000 in state grants to support local organizations such as Aging Well (Senior Center), New Beginnings, American Legion Post 85, Veteran’s Memorial Museum, North Smithfield Heritage Association, North Smithfield EMA, Riverzedge Arts, and the Community Care Alliance Homeless Shelter.