Governor Maura Healey filed an emergency preamble for Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2026 with the Secretary of the Commonwealth on Friday, November 6, at 3:24 p.m., preventing the suspension of the controversial late-term abortion law despite a statewide petition effort that gathered more than 113,000 certified signatures.
The filing comes just two days before the law was scheduled to take effect on November 8. The emergency preamble allows the law to take effect immediately, preventing the referendum petition from suspending its implementation while the repeal effort continues.
Myrna Maloney Flynn, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, issued the following statement in response:
"Governor Healey's preamble reflects an utter disregard for the men and women she was elected to represent. In a matter of a few weeks, more than 113,000 of her constituents went out of their way to oppose a highly controversial, deeply consequential, law that blindsided legislators and voters alike. Healey ignored their questions and concerns on August 10, and she has once again prevented any dialogue. She has not sufficiently explained the 'emergency' that warrants her undemocratic rejection of the people's will, because such an emergency does not exist, only weakness on her part. Healey clearly demonstrates today how beholden she really is to the Massachusetts abortion lobby."
What this means for the referendum
We expected this. In filing the emergency preamble, the Governor has made clear that she considers abortions up to the moment of birth acceptable, even in the face of the signed objections of more than 112,000 Massachusetts voters.
The referendum moves forward. The signatures already collected stand, and the Secretary of the Commonwealth's certification process continues. The question of whether Chapter 188 remains law will ultimately go before Massachusetts voters in the November 2028 state election.
If a majority votes No, and those No votes represent at least 30% of all ballots cast in the election, Chapter 188 will be repealed. The Governor's preamble determines what happens in the meantime. The voters will decide what happens in the end.
We now have two years to educate Massachusetts voters about the realities of late-term abortion. That campaign starts today.
MCFL will work with its coalition partners to develop and carry out this statewide public education effort. We will share more information about the campaign and how you can participate as plans take shape.
Support our continued efforts to inform the electorate, support women in need, protect unborn infants, and hold lawmakers accountable. Donate to MCFL today.
To learn more about the repeal effort and how you can help support the public education campaign ahead of the November 2028 referendum, visit Repeal188.com.