Massachusetts New Health Shield Act

Governor Maura Healey has signed into law the Massachusetts Shield Act which will strengthen state protections for reproductive health care & transgender health care amidst a rapidly shifting political landscape that threatens access to care. The bill updates Massachusetts’ 2022 Shield Act that protects providers of reproductive & gender-affirming care from out-of-state investigations & prosecutions & other liability for providing or assisting patients in accessing such care which is legal in the state. Governor Healey stated, “Massachusetts will always be a state where patients can access high-quality health care & providers are able to do their jobs without government interference. From the moment Roe was overturned, we stepped up to pass strong protections for patients & providers & with President Trump & his allies continuing their assaults on health care, we’re taking those protections to the next level. No one is going to prevent the people of Massachusetts from getting the health care they need.” Polly Crozier, GLAD Law Director of Family Advocacy concluded, “Faced with political headwinds from the federal government & hostile states, the Healey administration & the State Legislature today ensured that, in Massachusetts, health care will continue to be based on science & people’s need for care. GLAD Law is grateful to the Governor, the Attorney General & the legislature for taking these critical steps as part of our deep commitment to maintaining access to reproductive health care & transgender health care for the people of the Commonwealth. Political threats or intimidation should never deny people the health care they need & we will continue to work with government leaders & other partners to anticipate & protect Bay Staters.”