By Janene Oleaga, Esq., AllPaths Advocacy Committee Chair
As fall arrives in New England, with leaves turning vibrant colors and the air growing crisp, AllPaths Family Building is gearing up for the upcoming legislative session. While the session doesn’t officially begin until January in most states, we’re already focused on the key issues that we expect this upcoming session so that we can be prepared to steer the states in our region in the right direction in 2026.
AllPaths Remains Committed to:
- Supporting bills that are pro-family and pro-family building
- Supporting bills that increase access to the full spectrum of reproductive care
- Opposing bills that incorporate the concept of personhood
- Opposing bills that restrict access to health care
Supporting Bills That Are Pro-Family Building
Why: Last legislative session several states saw traction in expanding and protecting modern family structures including support for families built through adoption, surrogacy, gamete donation, and IVF. We also saw an increased willingness to recognize LGBTQ+ parentage and family structures.
- Vermont passed a confirmatory adoption bill, reflecting growing recognition of the diversity of families and the ways they are created.
- In New Hampshire, “Momnibus 2.0” – a comprehensive maternal mental health package – passed through the state’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget.
- Efforts like these counterbalance proposals that might limit who can access reproductive care and other legal hurdles for families grown through assisted reproduction or adoption.
- The goal is to dismantle discriminatory legislative barriers and ensure all families are supported and celebrated.
Supporting Inclusivity in Accessing Reproductive Care
Why: Several states proposed legislation last session to improve reproductive health care access but also faced attempts to restrict or narrowly define who can receive services from opposing groups
- Some states passed expansions in reproductive health coverage and services, focusing on inclusivity for marginalized communities, including trans and non-binary individuals.
- However, other states had proposals that could limit access based on identity or residence, sparking advocacy for maintaining broad, inclusive access.
- AllPaths’ support reflects a response to both advancements and emerging threats, emphasizing equitable access regardless of race, gender identity, or socioeconomic status.
Opposing Bills that Incorporate the Idea of Personhood
Why: “Personhood” bills—which legally define embryos or fetuses as persons with rights—were introduced or reintroduced in various forms in several states, threatening to criminalize abortion and ban some forms of contraception:
- Personhood bills, which would have extended legal protections to embryos from the moment of conception, were considered in several states in the 2025 legislative session. These bills would undermine abortion rights, access to fertility care, and reproductive autonomy.
- These proposals aim to restrict abortion access by framing the fetus as a separate legal entity, complicating care providers’ ability to offer comprehensive reproductive health services.
- AllPaths will continue to work with our partners to fight these policies, around New England and across the country.
Opposing Bills that Restrict Access to Care
Why: Emboldened efforts last session to introduce restrictions on abortion, contraception, and other reproductive health services spark us into action:
- AllPaths opposes restrictions that create real-world barriers to timely, affordable, and safe care for individuals seeking reproductive services.
We will need YOUR advocacy in 2026 so stay tuned for more information about taking action in the upcoming session!