Current Status - Massachusetts

As of October, Massachusetts continues to maintain some of the strongest protections for women’s rights in the country, while adding new protections in reproductive healthcare, survivor safety, and education.

In August, Governor Maura Healey signed a law expanding physician discretion for abortions after 24 weeks and removing the requirement that those procedures take place in a hospital. The changes are scheduled to take effect November 8, although opponents have launched a referendum effort that could suspend the law and place its repeal before voters in 2028.

Massachusetts also strengthened protections for sexual-assault survivors and minors through new laws affecting DNA-based rape prosecutions and sexual conduct involving adults in positions of authority. A separate August law established statewide standards for challenges to books and other library materials in public schools and libraries.

Several additional proposals involving menopause care, reproductive healthcare and survivor protections remain under consideration as the Legislature continues working through the end of its 2025–2026 session.

Top 5 Things to Know

• Massachusetts expanded abortion protections, but the new law is already being challenged. An August law gives physicians greater discretion over abortions after 24 weeks and removes a hospital-only requirement. Opponents have filed a referendum petition seeking to suspend the law and put its repeal before voters in 2028.
• The state continues to expand women's healthcare beyond abortion. Lawmakers are considering new measures related to menopause care, maternal health, birth centers, midwifery, and health equity, while recent investments have expanded access to doulas and maternal health services.
• Women benefit from strong workplace protections. Massachusetts provides paid family leave, requires workplace accommodations in certain circumstances, and recently enacted a pay transparency law aimed at improving pay equity.
• Current debates focus more on expanding and defending rights than restricting them. Recent activity has centered on strengthening protections and responding to federal investigations or legal challenges involving reproductive healthcare, voting access, and gender-related policies.
• Many protections are established in law, but not all are constitutionally protected. Massachusetts has built a strong legal framework through legislation and policy, though some advocates continue to support additional measures that could make certain protections more durable over time.

Women's Health

Reproductive Rights

Massachusetts has some of the nation's strongest reproductive rights protections and has continued to strengthen them since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Abortion is protected under state law, and lawmakers have expanded legal safeguards for patients and providers through a series of shield law measures designed to protect reproductive health care from out-of-state legal actions.

The state has also become an increasingly important access point for patients traveling from states with abortion restrictions. As access has narrowed elsewhere, Massachusetts has seen significant increases in out-of-state abortion patients and medication abortion requests.

Recent developments:

• State leaders continue defending abortion coverage requirements against federal investigations and legal challenges.
• In August 2026, Massachusetts enacted Chapter 188, expanding physician discretion for abortions after 24 weeks and removing the requirement that those procedures take place in a hospital. The changes are scheduled to take effect November 8, but opponents filed a referendum petition in September seeking to suspend the law and put its repeal before voters in 2028.

Healthcare Access

Massachusetts maintains broad access to health care and continues to invest in policies affecting women's health across the lifespan. Recent efforts have focused on maternal health, birth equity, midwifery services, doula care, menopause and perimenopause support, and reducing disparities in health outcomes.

While access challenges remain for some populations, state policymakers continue to pursue initiatives to expand services and improve the affordability, availability, and quality of care.

Recent developments:

• H5303, legislation addressing menopause and perimenopause care, advanced to the House Ways and Means in July. The proposal includes healthcare access, insurance, education, and workplace provisions.
• H4957, which would require coverage for pain-management options associated with IUD insertion, also advanced to House Ways and Means in July.

Workplace

Massachusetts maintains a strong framework of workplace protections affecting women, including paid family and medical leave, pregnancy accommodations, equal pay protections, and anti-discrimination laws. Recent efforts have focused on improving transparency and expanding access to workplace benefits rather than rolling back existing protections.

The state continues to position itself as a leader in workplace equity, particularly through policies designed to improve pay transparency and support workers balancing employment and caregiving responsibilities.

Recent developments:

• Massachusetts implemented a pay transparency law requiring covered employers to disclose salary ranges and report workforce pay data.
• Paid Family and Medical Leave benefit levels increased in 2026.
• Lawmakers continue to consider workplace support related to menopause and perimenopause through H5303, which advanced to the House Ways and Means in July.

Violence & Safety

Massachusetts provides broad legal protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment. State law allows abuse prevention and harassment prevention orders and includes firearm surrender requirements in certain domestic violence situations. Recent policy efforts have focused on strengthening survivor protections and improving service delivery rather than significantly reshaping the legal framework.

While the state's overall approach remains stable, lawmakers continue to explore ways to strengthen protections for survivors and improve access to support services.

Recent developments:

• Massachusetts updated domestic violence law enforcement guidance and survivor protection policies.
• Lawmakers are considering legislation addressing employment protections for domestic violence victims.
• Two protections enacted in July strengthen the state's response to sexual violence: prosecutors may pursue rape charges after the standard statute of limitations when new DNA evidence identifies a suspect, and adults in positions of authority can no longer claim that a 16- or 17-year-old consented to sexual conduct.

Voting & Civic Participation

Massachusetts generally provides broad access to voting through early voting, mail voting, and voter registration reforms adopted in recent years. The state has continued to consider policies that would further expand participation, including proposals related to voter registration and election access.

At the same time, voting policy has become increasingly affected by national legal and political disputes. Federal efforts involving voter registration data, election administration, and voting access have created new pressures even in states with relatively strong voting protections.

Recent developments:

• Massachusetts voters will decide Question 4, Election Day Registration, on November 3, 2026.
• Massachusetts successfully defended its refusal to provide complete voter registration records in federal litigation. The U.S. Department of Justice appealed that ruling in June 2026, meaning the litigation remains ongoing.
• Additional legislation seeks to expand voter participation and modernize election administration.

Education

Massachusetts generally supports inclusive educational policies related to health education, student safety, and gender identity. Schools and higher education institutions continue to operate within a framework that provides protections for LGBTQ students and promotes comprehensive health education.

However, education has become one of the most actively contested areas of national policy. Federal investigations, litigation involving gender identity policies, and evolving interpretations of Title IX have increased pressure on policies that Massachusetts currently supports.

Recent developments:

• Massachusetts enacted a Freedom to Read law in August establishing statewide standards for selecting and challenging books and other materials in public schools and libraries and strengthening protections for educators and librarians.
• Federal investigations have targeted some Massachusetts schools and institutions over gender identity policies.
• Lawmakers are considering legislation related to Title IX compliance and other education-related issues.

Related WRDI Reporting

How five states are creating insurance models for menopause treatment (June 26)
New law offers a blueprint for replacing lost Medicaid funding (May 26)

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