Healey Signs Law Removing Massachusetts Abortion Gestational Limit

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation on Aug. 10, 2026, removing the state's existing 24-week gestational limit on abortion and giving physicians greater discretion to provide abortions later in pregnancy. The law, known as the Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, also strengthens the state's Shield Law, which protects patients and providers from out-of-state investigations tied to legal reproductive care. With the change, Massachusetts became one of roughly 10 to 11 states with no statutory gestational limit on abortion; reports vary slightly on the exact ranking. Healey said the law is intended to prevent patients facing serious pregnancy complications from having to travel out of state for treatment, and framed the legislation as part of the state's broader response to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The bill had been fast-tracked by state legislators in late July 2026 before being signed in August. Healey has described the issue as significant heading into the November elections. The signing occurred amid other ongoing state political activity, including attention to MBTA safety matters and a settlement following an admission of misconduct by the transit agency's general manager, as well as the Governor's Council's confirmation of Kaitlyn O'Leary as Healey's second appointee to the Parole Board. These additional developments were reported by only one source and their connection to the abortion law signing is limited to occurring in the same general period of state political news; they remain unresolved as directly related events.