About Kay
"Once a nurse, always a nurse."
-Representative Kay Khan
State Representative Kay Khan has represented Newton in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 1995. She currently serves the 11th Middlesex district. Representative Khan has championed many projects in her district, including the implementation of sound barriers, bike trails, and the renovation of a community center. Currently, the Representative is working with a coalition of stakeholders to make all three Newton Commuter Rail Stations accessible.
Representative Khan was appointed by Speaker Robert DeLeo in 2009 to serve as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, and served in this capacity for 12 years, until 2021. Currently, Representative Khan serves on the Joint Committee on Public Health, the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight, and the House Committee on Steering, Policy, and Scheduling.
Representative Khan’s legislative portfolio celebrates and promotes diversity; she is an unshakable advocate for equal rights for all individuals in the Commonwealth. Some of her recent legislative victories include a ban on conversion therapy, the creation of the Special Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health, and a complete ban on child marriage without exception. Representative Khan’s legislative priorities this session include expanding access to maternal health care, promoting better outcomes for justice-involved youth and women, advancing the rights of people with mental health challenges and people with disabilities, and protecting the environment.
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Representative Khan earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston University School of Nursing. Her first job as a nurse was at Boston Children’s Hospital. Following this, she became an instructor for Boston University School of Nursing undergraduate students on a pediatric rotation. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from Boston University School of Nursing, graduating with honors, and worked in a private practice in Newton for close to 20 years.
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Representative Khan serves as a Board Member of the New Philharmonia Orchestra and is a founding Board Member of the Newton Cultural Alliance which recently finished the restoration of The Allen Center and Historic House. She serves on the Advisory Board of JALSA and the Advisory Board of SMI, School and Main Institute. 
Representative Khan has lived in Newton for more than 40 years, where she and her husband raised their three children and where she now enjoys spending time with her seven grandchildren. 
Current & Past Positions
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Appointed Member, Permanent Commission on Status of Persons with Disabilities 
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Member, Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Commission 
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Member & Former Co-Chair, Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators
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Founder & Co-Chair, Justice-Involved Women Task Force
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Member, Birth Justice Task Force
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Member, Sexual Violence Task Force
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Member, Progressive Caucus
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Member, Criminal Justice Reform Caucus 
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Member, Clean Energy Caucus
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Member, Housing for All Caucus
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Member, End and Prevent Homelessness Caucus
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Member, Public Higher Education Caucus
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Member, Zero Waste Caucus 
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Member, Blockchain Technology Caucus
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Member, Pharmacy Caucus
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Founder & Former Co-Chair, Mental Health Caucus
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Former Co-Chair, Special Commission on Mandated Reporting of Known or Suspected Animal Cruelty, and Abuse of Children, the Elderly, and Disabled Persons
Mission
As State Representative of the 11th Middlesex District, my mission is to make sure that every single individual - adult and child - in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has equal rights and access to opportunities. Every move I make considers the psychological and physical health of Massachusetts residents as well as the economic impact on their livelihood.
Vision
My hope is that the Commonwealth will continually foster opportunity, progress and love for humanity with every law passed. We are already leaders for progressive policies nationally, but I know that is not enough. I fight for a vision for the Commonwealth that leaves not one person in need.
Awards
Over the years and through her work, Representative Kay Khan has been recognized by many local and statewide advocacy organizations for her work. She humbly thanks every organization for their support for her initiatives. Check out below for the Representative's awards!