Massachusetts Group Launches Fight to Repeal New Abortions Up to Birth Law

Massachusetts Citizens for Life is co-sponsoring an effort launched by Massachusetts Family Action to suspend and repeal Chapter 188, the abortion expansion law signed by Gov. Maura Healey on August 10.

The law expands access to abortions later in pregnancy, including after 24 weeks up to birth for healthy mothers and healthy, viable babies, and is scheduled to take effect on November 8.

Under Massachusetts referendum law, 37,289 certified signatures are required to place the repeal question on the ballot. A total of 49,716 certified signatures are required to suspend the law while the referendum proceeds.

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“Before the ink dried on Governor Healey’s politicized signature, we started receiving messages from outraged residents across the state, people sickened that Healey had legalized abortion up to birth for healthy mothers and healthy, pain-capable infants,” said Myrna Maloney Flynn, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life. “Every person who contacted us wanted us to ‘do something’ to restore protections for viable, fully formed babies.”

“We have not pursued a referendum after every abortion law passed in Massachusetts, but this law crosses a fundamentally different line,” Flynn said. “It endangers women by allowing hospitals to send them to Planned Parenthood clinics for complex, dangerous late-term abortions rather than providing that care within better-equipped hospital facilities. The law also removes protections for viable babies, effectively allowing unborn children who are capable of surviving outside the womb to be killed.”

“As we explained what this new law actually means, residents’ shock only grew. So did their determination to act. People understand that none of this is necessary. Women deserve safe care and meaningful choices, and viable babies deserve protection. Our effort is about saving those lives and giving mothers and their babies more choices, not fewer.”

Together with Massachusetts Family Action, the Massachusetts Alliance to Stop Taxpayer Funded Abortions, and a growing coalition of concerned citizens, MCFL is confident that it can restore protections for viable, pain-capable infants and for women who deserve safety over abortion “access.”

Supporters are encouraged to begin organizing now by identifying potential signature-gathering locations, recruiting volunteers, and preparing lists of eligible voters who may be willing to sign the petition.

The referendum effort is part of MCFL’s broader response to the new law. On August 20, MCFL launched its “Hold Them Accountable for Abortion Up to Birth” campaign, calling on Massachusetts residents to demand answers from legislators and candidates about their positions on protections for viable unborn babies and abortion alternatives. More information is available at masscitizensforlife.org/accountable.