Mass. General Laws c.112 § 12N

Abortion; pregnancy existing for 24 weeks or more

This is an unofficial version of a Massachusetts General Law. For more information on this topic, please see law about abortion.

Updates

• Amended by St. 2020, c. 263, effective December 29, 2020
• Amended by St. 2022, c. 127, § 12 effective July 29, 2022
• Amended by St. 2026, c. 188, § 1, effective November 8, 2026

Section 12N (effective until November 8, 2026)

If a pregnancy has existed for 24 weeks or more, no abortion may be performed except by a physician, and only if in the best medical judgement of the physician it is: (i) necessary to preserve the life of the patient; (ii) necessary to preserve the patient’s physical or mental health; (iii) warranted because of a lethal fetal anomaly or diagnosis; or (iv) warranted because of a grave fetal diagnosis that indicates that the fetus is incompatible with sustained life outside of the uterus without extraordinary medical interventions.

Section 12N (effective November 8, 2026)

If a pregnancy has existed for 24 weeks or more, an abortion may be performed by a physician based upon the professional judgment of the physician.

Last updated:	August 10, 2026