What are my rights to abortion in Massachusetts?
The following laws apply to people in Massachusetts who want to have an abortion:
If you are under 18 years old and want an abortion, one parent or legal guardian must give permission before you can get one. This is called “parental consent.” If that’s not possible, you are able to ask a judge for permission, or get special permission if it’s an emergency. This is called “judicial bypass.”
There is a 24-hour mandatory waiting period in your state before a teen can get an abortion. This is being challenged in the courts right now and may not affect you, so please ask your abortion clinic for the latest info.
Your state provides Medicaid coverage for medically necessary abortions. If you need help paying for an abortion, call the National Abortion Federation Hotline at 1-800-772-9100, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). The hotline can tell you where and how to get financial help for an abortion in the U.S.
