House lawmakers will vote on allowing abortions after 24 weeks and ending parental consent for the procedure this week when they take up their budget bill.
A version of the ROE Act, redrafted and filed by Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Claire Cronin, will come up for a vote with Speaker Robert DeLeo's blessing this week when the House tackles nearly 800 budget amendments.
In a statement, DeLeo wrote that "it is urgent that the House take up an immediate measure to remove barriers to women’s reproductive health options and protect the concepts enshrined in Roe v. Wade," in state law.
"I’m grateful to Chair Cronin for filing a thoughtful amendment that would accomplish those goals, in an expeditious manner, and look forward to bringing it before the House this week."
As soon as the election was behind him, DeLeo and Senate President Karen Spilka pledged votes on a bill to codify abortion rights and expand access this session, but it was expected to come as a separate bill after the budget debate was complete.
There's support to pass the bill in the Senate, but Gov. Charlie Baker has reservations, meaning Democrats would have to use their 80 percent majority to override a possible veto.
