Massachusetts Bill Would Legalize Killing Babies in Abortions Up to Birth

State   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Jan 6, 2020   |   11:28AM   |   Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts could go the way of New York, Illinois and Vermont this year as it considers legislation to legalize the killing of unborn babies up to birth.

The ROE Act stalled in the state legislature last year, but pro-abortion Democrats hope to move it forward in the new year, according to the Washington Times.

The bill would remove most of the already limited restrictions on abortion in Massachusetts, including the state parental consent law. It also would allow unborn babies to be aborted after 24 weeks for reasons involving the life or health of the mother or fatal fetal abnormalities; however, these exceptions are defined so broadly (“all factors—physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the person’s age—relevant to the well-being of the patient”) that basically any reason would qualify. The sponsor is state Sen. Harriett L. Chandler.

Similar legislation passed in New York, Illinois, Vermont and Rhode Island last year, prompting massive outrage. Another pro-abortion bill narrowly failed in New Mexico because of strong public opposition.

Polls indicate that most voters oppose what the Massachusetts legislation would do, including eliminate parental consent for minors. State pro-life advocates expressed hope to the Times that the ROE Act will never pass. It has been in the Senate Judiciary Committee since June.

Myrna Maloney Flynn, president of the Massachusetts Citizens for Life, said the legislation would end the basic right for parents to be involved in life-changing decisions for their child.

“If legislators pass the ROE Act, parents would still have to consent to a flu shot for their 12-year-old daughter but not an abortion,” she told the news outlet.

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James F. Driscoll, executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, said Massachusetts needs to stop abortions, not expand them.

“Massachusetts already has a law in place permitting abortions under pretty liberal circumstances,” he said. “We’re not in favor of the current law … but there is no need to make it [abortion] even more accessible.”

Even if the legislation would move forward, it is not clear if it would become law. Gov. Charlie Baker, a pro-abortion Republican, expressed concerns to NPR about the expansiveness of the legislation, according to National Review.

ACTION: Contact Massachusetts lawmakers.