Lawmakers reach agreement on legislation that will protect reproductive healthcare services in Mass.

Lawmakers announced Monday that they have reached an agreement on legislation to protect and expand reproductive healthcare services in Massachusetts in wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that eliminated the national right to an abortion.

“This bill requires that our Commonwealth, including its boards, agencies, courts, law enforcement, and institutions, will do everything within its legal authority to protect our providers and patients, and ensure patients have wide access to the reproductive and gender-affirming heath care they need when they need it,” House Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, and lead conferees Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Cindy Friedman said in a joint statement. “It also requires that women who must face heart wrenching, difficult and critical decisions late in their pregnancies can make those decisions in true partnership with the provider who knows them best and who has their best interests in mind.”

Several other states across the country have imposed laws that would criminalize providing abortions and other reproductive health services.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order hours after the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June, announcing that the Bay State would protect providers who perform services for out of state individuals, as well as individuals from out of state, who seek services that are lawful in Massachusetts.

Lawmakers could vote on the new deal as early as Tuesday, the State House News Service reported.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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