Proposed Mass. bill would allow parents to use campaign funds for childcare

by Carly Cohen Contributing Writer

A bill that would allow parents running for public office to use campaign funds for childcare was recently introduced by Massachusetts State Senator Patricia Jehlen, who represents Medford, Somerville, Cambridge and Winchester.

If enacted, the bill would amend Massachusetts law to allow candidates running for non-federal office seats to use campaign funds to pay for childcare, bringing the commonwealth in line with 29 other states which allow the same. While the bill has been passed by the Massachusetts Senate several times, it has never made it to the top of the legislative agenda until now.

When asked why she supported this bill, Jehlen shared a story of a constituent from Somerville who fundraised with the intention of having enough money to pay for childcare while she can- vassed and did other campaigning activities.

“She found out … she could not use campaign funds for that, and she didn’t have enough income herself [to] do that,” Jehlen said.

Jehlen pointed out the inconsistencies in campaign finance law.

“People are allowed to use campaign funds to rent cars, to rent tuxedos, to take each other out to dinner,” she said. “Particularly for women, who are often the caregivers — but [also] for anybody who has kids — [this restriction] can be a barrier.”

Dawne Shand, a Massachusetts state representative, first ran for office when her child was 5 years old.