Massachusetts Abortion Law Faces Repeal Push After Signature Drive

On October 29, groups opposing Massachusetts’ new abortion law said they had gathered 99,962 signatures for a referendum seeking its repeal. The campaign says it has more than enough to put the question before voters in 2028 and to trigger a possible suspension of the law while the measure moves forward. State officials must certify the signatures before either step is assured; organizers have until November 6 to submit paperwork.

Signed by Gov. Maura Healey in August, the law is scheduled to take effect November 8. It changes the rules for abortions at 24 weeks of pregnancy or later, leaving the decision to a physician’s professional judgment. Previously, state law allowed abortions at that stage only in specified circumstances, including threats to a patient’s life or health and certain severe fetal diagnoses.

Healey could use an emergency preamble to put the law into effect immediately, preventing a suspension pending the vote. Her spokesperson said the governor is evaluating her options and described the law as intended to ensure decisions in difficult circumstances are made by patients and doctors. Healey used emergency authority in 2024 to prevent a referendum campaign from suspending new gun restrictions; voters are due to consider that measure on November 3.

Sam Miele, who leads the repeal effort, said the existing law already addressed cases in which a pregnant patient’s life was at risk. Supporters of the abortion law argue that patients facing serious complications have had to leave Massachusetts for care, at considerable expense. State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, who sponsored the bill, defended it, while reproductive-rights advocates criticized the repeal effort and said medical decisions should not be made by politicians.

The law has also featured in the governor’s reelection campaign. Republican nominee Michael Minogue, who has called himself pro-life, said during a debate that he would obey the law but did not endorse the repeal effort. If officials certify the signatures, the measure is expected to go before voters in 2028 unless Healey’s action prevents the law from being suspended.

Massachusetts Voters Should Decide Abortion Law, Not Politicians

On October 29, opponents of Massachusetts’ new abortion law said they had collected 99,962 signatures to try to repeal it. If state officials certify the signatures, voters could decide the law’s fate in 2028, and its implementation could be suspended in the meantime—unless Gov. Maura Healey acts to prevent that pause.

The law, signed in August and scheduled to take effect November 8, gives physicians professional judgment over abortions at 24 weeks of pregnancy or later. The prior rules allowed abortions at that stage only under specified conditions, including serious risks to a patient’s health or life and certain grave fetal diagnoses. Supporters say the change addresses cases in which patients with complicated pregnancies have had to travel out of state for care, bearing the costs of travel, child care and time away from work.

Healey’s office says she is considering her options. Her spokesperson described the law as protecting decisions made between patients and doctors in painful circumstances. Healey could invoke an emergency preamble to keep the law from being suspended while the referendum proceeds. She used that authority in 2024 to block an attempted suspension of new gun restrictions, which voters will consider on November 3.

State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, the bill’s House sponsor, stands behind the law. Reproductive-rights advocates say politicians should not override medical decisions and have criticized the repeal campaign. If signatures are validated, the question could reach voters in 2028; the immediate issue is whether Healey will use her authority to prevent a temporary suspension.

Nearly 100,000 Signatures Challenge Massachusetts Abortion Law

On October 29, opponents of Massachusetts’ new abortion law announced 99,962 signatures for a referendum campaign, far above the number needed to seek repeal in 2028 and potentially suspend the law in the interim. The signatures still require state certification, and the campaign must submit its paperwork by November 6.

The law, signed by Gov. Maura Healey in August, is set to take effect November 8. It leaves abortions at 24 weeks of pregnancy or later to a physician’s professional judgment. Under the previous rules, abortions at that stage were limited to specified circumstances, including threats to a patient’s health or life and certain grave or lethal fetal diagnoses. The law could make Massachusetts one of 10 states, plus Washington, D.C., without gestational limits.

Sam Miele, a leader of the opposition, argues the old law already addressed cases when a pregnant patient’s life was at risk. The state’s Catholic bishops oppose the new measure, calling it gravely immoral. Miele said the campaign believes a viable baby late in pregnancy has a right to be born.

Healey could invoke an emergency preamble to prevent the law from being suspended pending a 2028 vote. She used that power in 2024 to keep new gun restrictions in effect after opponents qualified a referendum; voters will consider those restrictions on November 3. Her office says she is evaluating options.

Supporters of the abortion law say it is needed for patients facing severe complications and argue that some have had to leave Massachusetts to obtain care. Healey’s spokesperson says the law keeps difficult decisions between patients and doctors. The signature certification and the governor’s decision will determine whether the new rules take effect as scheduled or face a delay.