Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed legislation eliminating all gestational limits on abortion, making the state the tenth in America to permit the procedure until birth. The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act takes effect in 90 days and removes the previous 24-week restriction that had limited late-term procedures.

What the New Law Changes

The legislation grants healthcare providers expanded discretion to perform abortions later in pregnancy without facing legal penalties under previous state restrictions. Massachusetts previously prohibited abortions after 24 weeks except in limited circumstances. The state now joins Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and the District of Columbia in removing gestational age limits entirely.

At the bill signing ceremony, Healey pledged to maintain abortion access throughout her governorship. She stated that healthcare decisions should remain between women, families, and their doctors rather than politicians. The governor positioned the law as protection for families facing medical complications late in pregnancy, including maternal health emergencies and fatal diagnoses, enabling them to receive care in Massachusetts rather than traveling elsewhere.

National Debate Over Late-Term Procedures

Healey framed the legislation as a defensive measure against national Republican efforts to restrict abortion access following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. She characterized opponents of the bill as not supporting women’s health. Pro-life advocates responded with sharp criticism, with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser condemning what she described as barbaric late-term procedures.

Dannenfelser called for Republicans to abandon the states’ rights approach to abortion regulation, arguing it permits extreme late-term abortion laws. She stated that without national standards, the United States remains one of only eight countries worldwide allowing abortion at any point in pregnancy, alongside Australia, Canada, China, Guinea-Bissau, Mexico, South Korea, and Vietnam.

What This Means

The Massachusetts law represents a significant expansion of abortion access in a state already considered a stronghold for reproductive rights advocates. The removal of gestational limits places Massachusetts among a small group of states with the most permissive abortion laws in the nation. As the 2026 debate over abortion continues to divide Americans along political and ideological lines, Massachusetts has positioned itself at one end of the spectrum, ensuring providers face no time-based restrictions when performing abortion procedures.