Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has signed a new Abortion law removing the state’s previous gestational limits, allowing doctors greater discretion when performing abortions later in pregnancy.
According to Fox News, the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act is scheduled to take effect in 90 days. Before the change, Massachusetts generally prohibited abortions after 24 weeks, with exceptions under certain circumstances.
Healey said the legislation is intended to help families dealing with serious medical complications later in pregnancy, including situations involving severe risks to the mother or diagnoses involving the fetus.
"We believe that health care decisions should be made between women and families and their doctors, not politicians," Healey said during the signing ceremony. "Abortion will remain safe. It will remain legal, and it will remain accessible here in Massachusetts. That's my commitment to you."
Under the new law, health care providers will have greater flexibility when determining whether to perform an Abortion later in pregnancy.
The legislation also provides protections from penalties that previously could have applied under Massachusetts' restrictions.
Healey described the measure as part of her broader effort to protect Abortion access in the state following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
"It is up to the states to lead," Healey said. She added that Massachusetts would continue protecting access regardless of actions taken by President Donald Trump, Republicans in Congress or the Supreme Court.
The law makes Massachusetts the 10th state, along with the District of Columbia, to remove gestational age limits on Abortion, according to the source material.
The other states listed are Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont.
The legislation has drawn strong opposition from Abortion-rights opponents.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, criticized the measure and argued that it would increase access to late-term abortions. She called on Republicans to pursue federal protections rather than leaving Abortion policy entirely to individual states.
Dannenfelser also argued that the United States has among the least restrictive Abortion policies in the world, citing eight countries that she said permit Abortion at any point during pregnancy.
Healey, meanwhile, defended the law as a matter of medical access and said Massachusetts would remain committed to Abortion rights.
The legislation is expected to remain a flashpoint in the state's broader debate over Abortion policy as the new rules take effect.