Baker signs bill further protecting access to reproductive healthcare services in Massachusetts
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Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday signed a bill that further protects access to reproductive healthcare services in Massachusetts after the Supreme Court’s overturned Roe v. Wade.
The legislation codifies several measures that were first included in an executive order issued by Baker in June in the hours following the Supreme Court’s decision. The law also adopts several new or expanded measures to protect access to reproductive health services in the Massachusetts.
In a statement, Baker said, “Massachusetts remains steadfast in its commitment to protect access to reproductive healthcare services, especially in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The Court’s decision has major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited access to these services, and our administration took quick action in the hours following that decision by issuing an Executive Order to protect access here in the Commonwealth. This new legislation signed today builds on that action by protecting patients and providers from legal interference from more restrictive laws in other states. We are grateful for the compromise and dedication to the issue that our legislative colleagues demonstrated to make this important, bipartisan law a reality.”
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito added, “The new protections in this law build on the steps our administration took last month and our shared bipartisan work to protect access to these services. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Legislature to provide these important safeguards.”
The new law protects patients and providers from legal interference when they are engaged in accessing or providing reproductive and gender affirming healthcare services that are legally protected in Massachusetts.
The law prohibits the Massachusetts from assisting with other states’ investigations or legal proceedings regarding healthcare services that may be restricted in other states. The law also includes requirements for insurers to cover reproductive healthcare services, provisions addressing abortions performed at 24 weeks or later and measures that expand access to contraception across the Bay State.
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