Bill > H1991

This bill proposes several changes to Massachusetts law regarding abortion access and consent, primarily focusing on minors' rights and medical documentation. The bill first adds new definitions to Chapter 112, including clarifying terms like "abortion-related care" (any medically appropriate service complementary to an abortion) and "provider" (a licensed healthcare professional who can perform abortions). It then modifies consent requirements, mandating that patients must provide written informed consent before an abortion, with a standardized form to be developed by the public health commissioner. The form must be signed in advance but does not impose a waiting period, and must be kept confidential and destroyed seven years after the procedure. Importantly, the bill changes existing law to allow minors to independently consent to their own medical care, including abortion, without parental involvement. This modification removes previous language that restricted minors' ability to consent to abortion specifically, effectively giving minors more autonomy in accessing reproductive healthcare. By eliminating parental consent requirements for abortion, the bill aims to increase minors' access to reproductive healthcare while maintaining patient confidentiality and professional medical standards.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1991