The measure, if signed by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, will remove the last few restrictions on abortion in the state and replace them with ‘the professional judgment of the physician.’
The Massachusetts government this week moved to strip all restrictions from abortion and allow the procedure up until birth so long as a doctor approves of it.
The Senate passed Bill H.5595 on July 31, a little over a week after the House passed the same measure. The bill now awaits Democratic Gov. Maura Healey’s signature.
The legislation removes all of the state’s current restrictions on abortion after 24 weeks, instead dictating that a late-term abortion may be done based upon “the professional judgment of the physician” performing it.
Current Massachusetts law, which H.5595 would change, only allows late-term abortions if they are necessary to preserve the life or “physical or mental health” of the mother, or if the baby has been diagnosed with a fatal condition.
Abortions are also allowed to be performed in the state if a baby would require “extraordinary medical interventions” to survive after birth.
If signed into law, the bill would make Massachusetts the 11th state to impose no limits
