Mass. General Laws c.112 § 12N 1/2

Independent consideration by treating physician and patient or patient's health care proxy of abortion circumstances for pregnancy existing for 24 weeks or more; annual report

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

Updates

• Added by St. 2022, c. 127, § 13, effective July 29, 2022
• Amended by St. 2026, c. 188, § 2, effective November 8, 2026

Section 12N 1/2 (effective until November 8, 2026)

(a)

Each circumstance permitting an abortion for a pregnancy that has existed for 24 weeks or more under section 12N shall be considered independently by a treating physician and a patient or the patient’s health care proxy. No medical review process shall override a determination by a treating physician and a patient or the patient’s health care proxy to provide an abortion consistent with said section 12N.

(b)

Annually, not later than September 1, every facility authorized to perform health care services under section 12N shall submit to the department of public health a written report that includes the facility’s procedures and processes for providing services consistent with said section 12N and this section.

Section 12N 1/2 (effective November 8, 2026)

No medical review process shall override the professional judgment of a treating physician and a patient or the patient’s health care proxy to provide an abortion consistent with section 12N.

Last updated:	August 10, 2026