The governor of Massachusetts has signed a sweeping new abortion bill that removes restrictions on late-term abortions, allowing abortions to take place up until the birth of the baby. Governor Maura Healey signed the new legislation on Monday, which removes restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks. Previously, such abortions had only been permitted in life-threatening situations for the mother or baby, but the new law permits “an abortion [after 24 weeks] may be performed by a physician based upon the professional judgment of the physician.” The law eliminates the requirement that late-term abortions be performed in a hospital setting, meaning licensed physicians can provide abortions in other eligible health care and treatment centers.

Governor Healey framed the legislation as an act of compassion. “We’ve heard so many stories — stories that are filled with a lot of pain and anguish and heartache and a lot of trauma. We heard stories about the worst moments of a person’s life, of a couple’s life. We’re signing this law today so that new patients, people we won’t know or won’t meet, will be able to get the care that they need in Massachusetts,” she said. The legislation passed in the state house 119-33, with all Republicans who voted casting their votes against it and even some Democrats. It passed in the state Senate 15-4.

Abortion continues to be hotly debated in the United States since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, with a 2025 Gallup poll showing that around 51% of Americans identify as pro-choice while 43% identified as pro-life. Women identify as pro-choice more than men (61% to 41%). A 2023 Gallup poll found that support for third-trimester abortions, those that take place after 24 weeks, remained low. Support for first-trimester abortions remained the highest at 69%, with 37% supporting second-trimester abortions and 22% supporting third-trimester abortions.

A group of Massachusetts bishops signed a statement condemning the legislation. Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston, Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha of Fall River and Bishop William D. Byrne of Springfield released the joint statement calling for a “renewal of reverence for all human life.” “We reaffirm the Church’s call to its own community and to civil society to provide the resources to welcome and cherish the gift of life, as well as to accompany women and families who have known the tragedy of abortion. Let there be room in our hearts for the most vulnerable among us,” the statement read. “May we recall and live the Lord’s own word ‘whatsoever you do to the least of these you do to me.’”

Conservatives slammed the legislation across social media, with images of babies born between 24 and 40 weeks flooding the internet. “A bunch of liberal women grin from ear to ear as Massachusetts Governor signs bill allowing abortion until birth,” wrote Libs of TikTok. “Demonic.” “It should shock the conscience that tens of thousands of unborn Americans are barbarically dismembered limb by limb and torn apart every single year,” wrote Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, “Sadly, that number will only increase with Gov. Healey’s approval of the Abortion Up Until Birth Bill.”