Massachusetts House Backs Bill Easing Post-24-Week Abortion Limits
The Massachusetts House passed a bill loosening restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, approving it 119-33 and sending it to the Senate with days left in the session.[1]
The measure would let doctors perform abortions after 24 weeks whenever they deem the procedure appropriate, replacing the current list of specific exceptions that now limit later procedures.[1] Gov. Maura Healey has not said whether she will sign the bill, and the Senate must vote before the session ends on July 31, 2026.[1]
Existing Massachusetts law limits abortions after 24 weeks to narrow exceptions involving serious risk to the pregnant person's health or severe fetal diagnoses.[1] If enacted, the change would place Massachusetts among states with the least restrictive late-term abortion rules in the country.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Massachusetts House passed the bill 119-33.
- Existing Massachusetts law limits abortions after 24 weeks to specified exceptions involving maternal risk or severe fetal diagnoses.
- The bill would allow abortions after 24 weeks whenever a doctor deems the procedure appropriate, removing the current enumerated-exception framework.
- The Senate must vote before the session ends July 31, 2026, and Gov. Maura Healey has not yet stated whether she will sign the bill.
- If enacted, the law would place Massachusetts among U.S. states with the least restrictive late-term abortion rules.
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