Melissa was born and raised in northern Rhode Island, and received her education in the Woonsocket Public School system. She moved out of state in her early twenties and spent time in several major metropolitan cities around the country. She got her degree in Criminal Justice, with a focus in Forensic Science, from Phoenix College, before deciding to move back to Rhode Island after 14 years to be closer to her family. She has strong roots in District 24: her parents and several close family members still reside in Woonsocket, and she has aunts, uncles, and cousins who call North Smithfield home.

Melissa has a strong science and business background, and worked as a Research and Development Chemist and in an Optical Laboratory. After moving back to Rhode Island, she fell back in love with her hometown, and had a strong desire to invest in her community. She returned to Woonsocket, and shortly thereafter opened a retail shop on Main Street. In 2013, she decided to run for Woonsocket City Council, and served two terms before being elected to State Senate, District 24 in November of 2018. She also volunteers her time on various non-profit and community boards and committees.

In addition to her legislative and community work she divides her time between her small Woonsocket-based business and traveling as a retail business consultant. A lifelong animal lover, Melissa has fostered and volunteered for animal rescues for nearly 20 years.

Senator Murray is deeply involved in her community. She serves on numerous boards and committees including serving as Chair of the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative; a member of the Woonsocket Main Street Holiday Stroll Committee; and as Vice Chair of the Woonsocket Democratic City Committee.

The first openly LGBTQ+ elected official in Woonsocket, Senator Murray served two terms on the Woonsocket City Council, being top vote getter in the 2016 election. She was elected to the Rhode Island Senate on November 4, 2018.​

 CURRENT LEGISLATION

S0091- This act would require a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students.

S0170- This act would provide that health insurance carriers that provide coverage for prescription insulin drugs used to treat diabetes shall only be allowed to charge up to fifty ($50.00) dollars for a copayment for a thirty (30) day supply of insulin regardless of the amount or type of insulin needed to fill the covered person's prescription. Coverage for prescription insulin would not be subject to any deductible.

S0199- This act would modify limitations on quantities of malt beverages and distilled spirits that can be sold at retail by certain licensed breweries and distilleries for off-premises consumption.

S0226- This act would provide that in determining eligibility for cash assistance the family income calculation shall not include the earned income of any adult family member who gains employment in compliance with their employment plan while an active Rhode Island Works household member, would provide for a one hundred dollar ($100) clothing allowance for qualifying children, and would amend the work requirements for cash assistance.

S0326- This act would add one new income tax bracket for purposes of Rhode Island state income taxation. The new bracket would be a rate of eight and ninety-nine percent (8.99%) on taxable income over three hundred ninety-four thousand five hundred dollars ($394,500) (in 2011 dollars). Adjusted for inflation, the new tax bracket would apply to taxable income over approximately four hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($475,000) (in 2021 dollars), impacting only the top one percent (1%) of taxpayers.

S0363- This act would allow North Smithfield historic residence owners to become eligible for state historic residence tax credits.

S0439- This act would require Class B licensees to offer to the public the opportunity to purchase and consume food in conjunction with the sale of alcoholic beverages, at all times while alcohol is consumed on the premises.

S0454- This act would establish the Rhode Island ombudsman for special education, independent of the department of elementary and secondary education, to ensure school districts throughout the state meet the minimum standards required to comply with individualized education programs for students with disabilities. This act would further direct that families be provided forms to evaluate their level of confidence and satisfaction with the schools in the process being followed in regard to their student, as well as informational pamphlets in regards to the services provided and contact information.

S0571- This act would remove the language that requires the department of elementary and secondary education to prorate funds available for distribution among school districts if the total approved costs of sought after reimbursement exceeds the amount of funding appropriated in any fiscal year.

S0637- This act would restructure the professional development investment fund to assume duties of dissemination of curriculum materials aligned with curriculum frameworks, state assessments, and implement district professional development plans with an allocation of two hundred dollars ($200) per student.