After lawmakers suspended the chamber’s rules to expedite its passage on the final day of formal legislative sessions, the Massachusetts Senate approved legislation that would remove the state’s current 24-week abortion limit and allow abortions later in pregnancy based on a physician’s “professional judgment,” including on viable, healthy unborn children.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life President Myrna Maloney Flynn delivered early this week a proposed amendment to Governor Maura Healey’s office urging changes to the recently approved late-term abortion expansion bill before the governor takes action.

Flynn was joined by Jean Marie Davis, Executive Director of Branches Pregnancy Resource Center, who shared concerns about the impact of the legislation on women facing coercion, exploitation, and difficult pregnancy circumstances.

The governor may sign the bill, veto it, or return it to the Legislature with proposed amendments.

MCFL’s amendment would maintain physician involvement while adding safeguards for late-term abortions, including a definition of fetal viability, additional physician certification requirements after viability, expanded informed consent, and information about perinatal hospice and palliative care.

At the time of publication, Governor Healey had not signed, vetoed, or returned the bill with amendments. MCFL is urging supporters to contact the governor as the decision remains pending.

Read our press release here.

Read the proposed amendment here: https://www.masscitizensforlife.org/an_act_relative_to_patient_safety_and_compassionate_care_in_late_pregnancy