New Westborough Rep. Donaghue Files First Round Of Bills

WESTBOROUGH, MA — New state Rep. Kate Donaghue, D-Westborough, has started off the new legislative session by either filing or cosigning over a dozen new pieces of legislation.

Many of the new bills deal with mental health and substance use disorder — issues Donaghue campaigned on, and that are near to her: Donaghue's son died of an overdose five years ago.

"I'm using my voice to fight for our communities on healthcare, combat substance use disorder, and support public education," Donaghue said in a news release.

Some of the bills Donaghue is working on include:

• Along with state Rep. Simon Cataldo, D-Carlisle, a law creating a fund to help residents buy naloxone, a life-saving medicine that can reverse opioid overdoses; and establishing an Opioid Stewardship Fund for money sent to Massachusetts from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers
• Along with state Sen. Michael Moore, D-Worcester, a law change allowing state universities to access money from the college building authority that were previously authorized.
• Donaghue is also a cosponsor along with many other lawmakers on a bill that would make school lunches free; and is a cosponsor of "Ollie's Law," which would create regulations for pet daycare centers.

You can see other bills filed by Donaghue on the state Legislature website.

The state Legislature created the new 19th Worcester state House district following the release of 2020 Census figures in August 2021. Donaghue's district includes Westborough, Southborough and Northborough and a section of Framingham. Donaghue defeated Republican Jonathan Hostage in the November election with close to 70 percent of the vote.