Massachusetts allows abortion up to birth after governor signs law
New state law gives clinicians greater discretion to provide abortion later in pregnancy and takes effect in 90 days.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey on Tuesday signed into law new limits on gestational restrictions for abortion, drawing applause and smiles as she completed the measure that makes the state the tenth in the United States to allow abortion up to the point of birth.
What the law does
The legislation — titled the Act to Prioritize Patients' Access to Health Care — gives health-care providers greater discretion to perform abortions later in pregnancy without facing criminal penalties under the state’s previous limits. Under the change, clinicians can evaluate the medical circumstances and decide whether a later-term abortion is appropriate.
Healey said the law was intended to allow families dealing with serious medical complications late in pregnancy to obtain care in Massachusetts rather than having to travel out of state. Those complications can include risks to the mother’s health and fatal fetal diagnoses.
“We believe health-care decisions should be made between women and families and their doctors, not politicians. Abortion will remain safe. It will remain legal and it will remain accessible here in Massachusetts. That is my commitment to you,” Healey said.
The bill is scheduled to take effect in 90 days. Previously, Massachusetts law generally prohibited abortion after 24 weeks with limited exceptions.
With the change, Massachusetts joins Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont — as well as the District of Columbia — in removing gestational limits that bar abortion later in pregnancy.
Photo: press material from the event
