Massachusetts
Protected
Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe:
Abortion will remain legal in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Supreme Court has recognized the right to abortion under the state’s constitution, and in 2021 Massachusetts passed comprehensive abortion rights legislation.
Restrictions
Massachusetts generally restricts abortion at twenty-four weeks LMP,[1]MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 112, § 12M. Massachusetts law generally requires that one parent or guardian or a judge consent to a minor’s abortion if the young person is under 16.[2]Id. § 12R.
Massachusetts law requires providers to report certain abortions to the state.[3]Id. § 12Q. Massachusetts law restricts the provision of abortion care at twenty-four weeks of pregnancy to licensed physicians and to circumstances where the patient’s life or health is at risk or the fetus has a lethal genetic anomaly.[4]Id. § 12N.
Protections
Massachusetts law includes constitutional protections for abortion. In 1981, the Massachusetts Supreme Court held that the due process protections of the state constitution protect abortion.[5]Moe v. Sec’y of Admin. & Fin., 382 Mass. 629, 645-648, 417 N.E.2d 387, 397-99 (Mass. 1981); Planned Parenthood League of Mass. v. Attorney General, 677 N.E.2d 101, 103-04, 107-08 (Mass. … Continue reading Massachusetts state law also protects the right to abortion.[6]Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 12L. Massachusetts affirms the right of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives to provide abortions before twenty-four weeks of pregnancy.[7]Id. § 12M. Massachusetts provides public funding for abortion care.[8]Moe, 382 Mass. at 629. The state protects clinic safety and access by prohibiting obstruction and providing a buffer zone.[9]MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 266, §§ 120E (preventing obstruction), 120E 1/2 (providing a buffer zone).
Laws that could be enforced if Roe v. Wade is limited or overturned
Massachusetts repealed its pre-Roe ban in 2018.[10]MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 272, § 19, repealed by S.B. 2260, 190th Gen. Assemb., Reg. Sess. (Ma 2018).
Conclusion
If Roe v. Wade is limited or overturned, abortion will remain legal in Massachusetts.
References
↑1 | MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 112, § 12M. |
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↑2 | Id. § 12R. |
↑3 | Id. § 12Q. |
↑4 | Id. § 12N. |
↑5 | Moe v. Sec’y of Admin. & Fin., 382 Mass. 629, 645-648, 417 N.E.2d 387, 397-99 (Mass. 1981); Planned Parenthood League of Mass. v. Attorney General, 677 N.E.2d 101, 103-04, 107-08 (Mass. 1997). |
↑6 | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 12L. |
↑7 | Id. § 12M. |
↑8 | Moe, 382 Mass. at 629. |
↑9 | MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 266, §§ 120E (preventing obstruction), 120E 1/2 (providing a buffer zone). |
↑10 | MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 272, § 19, repealed by S.B. 2260, 190th Gen. Assemb., Reg. Sess. (Ma 2018). |