Sen. Murray to chair Senate Health and Human Services Committee
STATE HOUSE – Sen. Melissa A. Murray has been named chairwoman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio made the appointment today as the Senate convened the 2025 legislative session.
The Health and Human Services Committee handles all legislation and matters relative to public health and welfare; health care and human service access and quality; health and human service professional standards of practice, and facility standards of care.
“The work of the Health and Human Services Committee touches the life of every Rhode Islander, and it includes much of the legislation I’ve sponsored and enacted over the years. I’m so happy to be able to play a greater role in ensuring our state does its very best to protect the health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield). “I’m grateful to President Ruggerio for this opportunity, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues on the committee and the many dedicated individuals and organizations who advocate before us. Together we will work to improve health and ensure that all Rhode Islanders’ human needs are met.”
Senator Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in 2018, has sponsored numerous successful bills to improve health and human services, including laws making HIV-prevention treatments free and accessible to qualifying patients; formalizing protections in state law against discrimination in health care; and capping the cost of insulin and diabetes testing supplies for Rhode Islanders with diabetes. For years, she has been a leader in efforts to increase benefits paid to children and families in the Rhode Island Works program, championing several increases and eligibility improvements.
In addition to chairing the Health and Human Services Committee, Senator Murray will serve as vice chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Education, which considers legislation pertaining to education, including student performance, governance, programming and teacher preparation and planning.
She will also serve as a member of the Housing and Municipal Government Committee, which considers matters relating to housing, municipal government and transportation.
Prior to her election to the Senate, Senator Murray served two terms on the Woonsocket City Council and was the city’s first openly LGBTQ+ elected official. Born and raised in northern Rhode Island, Senator Murray attended Woonsocket’s public schools. She has an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice with a focus in Forensic Science. A self-taught artist who travels locally, she also works at a family-owned business in Woonsocket.
The government shutdown is nearing the one-month mark as millions of Americans are set to lose food assistance on the first of the month. Over 700-thousand federal employees remain furloughed, while essential workers continue to report for duty without pay. Monday saw almost seven-thousand flight delays as air traffic control towers deal with staffing issues during the shutdown. 
