Senator Melissa Murray

05/30/2026

I am pleased to have been able to help make this exhibit possible alongside Senator Brian Thompson. Be sure to visit the Museum of Work and Culture where the Woonsocket Proud exhibit will be available for viewing until June 13th! 🇺🇸

Woonsocket Proud Exhibit to Open at the Museum of Work and Culture, 42 South Main St., is hosting a new exhibit titled Woonsocket Proud in its rotating gallery, featuring the

05/29/2026

I am in full agreement with House Minority Leader Chippendale!! Child support belongs to kids, not the state! This is not a partisan issue. No child should be left deeper in poverty because of outdated policies. I have been fighting to strengthen RI Works for 8 years now and am proud to be the Senate sponsor of this legislation that would help more RI families meet basic needs and build a more secure future. Let’s get this done!! Our kids deserve it.

05/28/2026

Every day, people across Rhode Island wake up carrying invisible pain — anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, loneliness, hopelessness…. our veterans, teenagers, parents trying to hold everything together while silently falling apart. That is why the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline and the acute mental health outreach provided by BH Link are so critical.
Codifying 988 and the BH Link into Rhode Island state law means ensuring that no matter how the political winds change, no matter what budget battles come and go, this critical safety net remains strong, permanent and accessible for every single Rhode Islander who needs it. Because somewhere tonight, and tomorrow night, and next month, and next year, someone will make the hardest phone call of their life. And whether they live may depend on whether we prioritize these life-saving programs today.
This bill codifies saving lives into law, and makes sure that when people reach out for help, someone is always there to answer.

05/27/2026

The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Senator Melissa Murray to codify the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline and BH Link programs in state law, and require the state to ensure that both programs are fully funded each year.

The legislation, which now goes to the House, is part of the Senate’s 17-bill package of healthcare legislation centered on supporting Rhode Islanders in crisis, protecting patients and providers and strengthening the state’s health workforce.

“Every day, people across Rhode Island wake up carrying invisible pain — anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, loneliness, hopelessness… veterans, teenagers, parents trying to hold everything together while silently falling apart. Too many are wondering if anyone would notice if they disappeared. That is why the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline and the acute mental health outreach provided by BH Link are so critical,” said Chairwoman Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield). “Codifying 988 and the BH Link into Rhode Island state law means ensuring that no matter how the political winds change, no matter what budget battles come and go, this critical safety net remains strong, permanent and accessible for every single Rhode Islander who needs it. Because somewhere tonight, and tomorrow night, and next month, and next year, someone will make the hardest call of their life. And whether they live may depend on whether we prioritize these life-saving programs today. This bill codifies saving lives into law, and makes sure that when people reach out for help, someone is always there to answer.”

Learn more: https://rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=376529

05/26/2026

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) Community Advocacy Day is TODAY at the RI State House Library at 3pm. I am proud to join advocates, survivors, community members, and Representative Karen Alzate in support of the RI Survivor Early Lease Termination Act that we are sponsoring this year.

Victims shouldn’t have to choose between staying in an abusive living situation or risk becoming homeless.

This bill establishes a reasonable, fair process that prioritizes life-or-death protection for survivors and creates a path for them to flee safely without fear of penalties for breaking their lease.

41 states across the country, including every other New England state, have already passed early lease termination!! It’s time for RI to join them.

05/26/2026

Welcome home, Lieutenant Barrat. May you rest in peace.

The remains of 20-year-old Lieutenant Robert Barrat of Woonsocket have finally been accounted for after he was killed during WWII. Read the story: https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/blackstone-valley/remains-of-world-war-ii-pilot-from-ri-accounted-for/

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a day to honor the men and women who gave everything for this country.

This weekend I had the honor and privilege to flag graves along with UVC and other members of our community, and I’m embarrassed to admit that that this was my first time doing so. It was really a deeply humbling and profound experience for me. I have three brothers that are veterans…my grandfather was a Seabee…but standing in front of those headstones… reading those names… something in me changed.

Today we gather to honor those who gave their lives in service - young people with hopes and plans, men and women with families and with futures they never got to live. Those who never got to grow old with the people who loved them. Their sacrifice asks something difficult of us. It asks us to celebrate their courage while confronting loss.

Memorial Day is not just a date on a calendar. For many, it is deeply personal. For some today is a day of pride, honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. For others it is a day of heartbreak. Both deserve our respect.

And we must also recognize something else today: for many veterans who did come home, Memorial Day is painful. It is a reminder of the brothers and sisters they lost. It is the weight of memories they carry every single day, often silently. So today, we must also recognize those who came home carrying burdens many of us can never fully understand.

Memorial Day is not a holiday. While many Americans spend today with cookouts and celebrations, there are people among us fighting back tears at the sound of taps, holding onto photographs, visiting gravesites, or wondering why they survived when others did not.

So as a community, may we honor the fallen not only with ceremonies and flags, but by living in a way that is worthy of their sacrifice — with compassion, service to others, humility, and care for one another. Things that are so desperately needed in this deeply divided time. Today, let’s do more than wave flags and offer applause. Let us truly remember. Teach children the cost of freedom. Reach out to those who carry loss and have scars we cannot see.

Because the fallen are not just names carved into stone. They were loved. They are missed. And it is now our duty to remember them — not just today, but in the way we live, the way we serve, and the way we stand together.

Thank you to everyone that attended today’s ceremony at Harris Hall. Special recognition to Kemily Henry for singing our national anthem and for this performance of America the Beautiful. ❤️🤍💙

05/23/2026

Started this Memorial Day weekend off by flagging graves at Precious Blood cemetery with United Veterans Council of Greater Woonsocket and Scouts BSA Troop 222 Woonsocket, RI. 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

Volunteers Needed TODAY (Friday, 5/22) to help AMVETS Post 7 & the United Veterans Council flag veterans’ graves. 🇺🇸

We will be starting at 5:30 PM at Precious Blood Cemetery on the corner of Diamond Hill Rd in Woonsocket at the center monument (see flyer below).

Suggested Items to Bring:
Gloves, sunblock, bug spray, bring a long screwdriver if you have them. This will assist you in setting the flag's stem in the ground.

Pizza, soda, and water will be provided. Bring your friends!

Volunteers Needed 🇺🇸

Help AMVETS Post 7 & the United Veterans Council flag veterans’ graves:
We will be starting at 5:30 PM at Precious Blood Cemetery, on the corner of Diamond Hill RD Woonsocket, RI.

Please meet us at Precious Blood at the CENTER MONUMENT (SEE FLYER). You will see a couple of tables. If for some reason you don't see us feel free to text/call (401) 365-9178.

Need community service hours? Letters can be made available. All ages are welcome!!!

Suggested Items to Bring:
Gloves, sunblock, bug spray, bring a long screwdriver if you have them. This will assist you in setting the flag's stem in the ground.

We will have Pizza, soda, and water provided! Bring some friends!!!

Questions? Text/Call Joe at (401) 365-9178

PLEASE NOTE:
YES!!! We were ORIGINALLY going to meet at St Jeans, but we had day volunteers that finished St. Jeans much faster than we thought. So huge thank you to Greg, his family and Friends of Oak Hill. Another Shout out to Brian!!! Ty so much. See you at Precious Blood!!!

05/21/2026

My bill to codify the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline and crisis intervention services offered by BH Link will be up for a full vote of the Senate next week.

988 offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors for anyone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use, a mental health crisis or any other kind of emotional distress.

988 is not only for su***de or crisis. You can also dial 988 if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Veterans can dial 988 and then press 1 to be connected to another specially trained veteran that understand their unique challenges.

988 is free and confidential for people of all ages. Please help spread the word for anyone that you think may need it. No one should have to fight alone.