Chapter 188 Text
Read Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2026 from the Massachusetts Legislature.
View legislative text →The Issue
Why Repeal "No Limits Abortion?"
The only word to describe what is done to an infant during an abortion procedure is "Gruesome". It's a horrific death.
In most cases, the child's death is not instant. It is not painless.
“At this stage of pregnancy, the mother faces a 5.64-times greater risk of serious harm or death from the abortion procedure than from delivering the baby alive by C-section.”
The New Abortion law is simply Evil!
This campaign seeks to repeal this horrific law.
Start With the Source
Review the enacted law, understand the referendum process, and find answers to common questions about the petition effort.
Understand the Referendum
Learn how the Massachusetts referendum process works and review the approximate timeline for Chapter 188.
View process & timeline →Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions from voters, volunteers, and communities.
View FAQs →Understand the Referendum
Article 48 of the Massachusetts Constitution allows voters to challenge certain newly enacted laws. Repeal188 is pursuing a referendum petition requesting suspension of Chapter 188 and a statewide vote on whether the law should be approved.
1. Originate the Petition
By September 9, 2026
File the originating referendum petition with at least 10 registered Massachusetts voters and expressly request suspension of Chapter 188.
2. Attorney General Review
The Attorney General determines whether Chapter 188 may properly be the subject of a referendum and prepares the fair and concise summary used on the official petition forms.
3. Collect Signatures
September–October 2026
Once the official petition forms are issued, collect signatures from registered Massachusetts voters. The campaign must collect more than the minimum to allow for signatures rejected during certification.
4. Local Certification
October 2026
Submit petition sheets to the appropriate city or town registrars for voter-registration certification. Local submission is required before the final filing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
5. Final Filing
Within 90 days of August 10, 2026
Retrieve the certified sheets and file the completed referendum petition with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The exact filing date and hour will be stated on the official petition forms.
6. Referendum Vote
Expected November 7, 2028
Article 48 places the question at the next state election held at least 60 days after the completed petition is filed. Final ballot placement is determined by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Timeline note:
Dates after the originating-petition deadline are approximate until the Attorney General review is complete and the Secretary of the Commonwealth issues the official petition forms and filing deadlines.
What Else to Know
What does Chapter 188 do?
Chapter 188 changes Massachusetts law governing abortions when a pregnancy has existed for 24 weeks or more. Under the prior law, an abortion after 24 weeks could be performed only by a physician and only when the physician determined that it was necessary to preserve the patient's life or physical or mental health, or was warranted because of a lethal fetal anomaly or a grave fetal diagnosis incompatible with sustained life outside the uterus without extraordinary medical intervention.
Chapter 188 removes those four specific statutory conditions. In their place, the law provides that, after 24 weeks, an abortion may be performed by a physician based upon the physician's professional judgment.
The law also eliminates the existing medical-review provision. At the same time, Chapter 188 eliminates the previous requirement that facilities providing abortions under Section 12N submit an annual report to the Department of Public Health describing their procedures and processes for providing that care. Your local restaurant now has more sanitary regulations than those places performing abortions.
Finally, Chapter 188 removes the requirement that, except in an emergency, an abortion performed at 24 weeks or later must take place in a hospital authorized to provide obstetrical services. Planned parenthood can now perform these abortions outside of the Hospital system.
Chapter 188 does not repeal the separate requirement in Section 12O that facilities performing abortions under Section 12N maintain life-supporting equipment and take appropriate steps, consistent with good medical practice, to preserve the life and health of a live birth and the patient.
What would repeal change?
A successful referendum signature petition drive would result in immediately suspending the new abortion without limits law until the people of Massachusetts vote on it themselves in November 2028. In the meantime, the old law would remain in effect and provide exceptions to abortion after 24 weeks when the Mother's Life is in danger, or if fetal abnormalities exist. In addition, abortions over 24 weeks, meeting those conditions would have to be done in a hospital rather than backyard clinics that the new law allows.
Where can I sign?
The State of MA requires signatures to be physical signatures. Electronic signing is not allowed. Use the public signing-location finder to locate active petition sites near you
How can I volunteer?
Use the Volunteer page to submit your interests and availability.
Take the Next Step
Find a signing location or volunteer with the campaign.