November 7, 2026

Gov. Healey files emergency preamble to block suspension of abortion expansion law

REGIONAL
Staff report

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield became the central location in western Massachusetts where petitions were sorted before being sent to the Secretary of State’s Office for certification. The effort was part of a referendum petition process to suspend and repeal the up to birth abortion law. (IObserve photo/Carolee McGrath)

SPRINGFIELD – Despite more than 113,000 certified signatures from Massachusetts residents calling for the repeal of Chapter 188, Gov. Maura Healey filed an emergency preamble on Friday, Nov. 6, preventing the law from being suspended while the referendum process moves forward.

The filing comes just two days before the law was scheduled to take effect on November 8.

According to the state petition process, 37,289 certified signatures are required for the referendum to qualify for the ballot in 2028. But if 49,716 certified signatures were collected, the law would be suspended until Nov. 2028 when it would be put on the ballot for voters to decide.

However, the governor was able to prevent the suspension with the emergency action. The Massachusetts Constitution states emergency measures “shall contain the statement that such law is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or convenience.” (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Constitution#amendmentArticleXLVIIIConflicts)

“Governor Healey’s preamble reflects an utter disregard for the men and women she was elected to represent. In a matter of a few weeks, more than 113,000 of her constituents went out of their way to oppose a highly controversial, deeply consequential, law that blindsided legislators and voters alike,” said Myrna Maloney Flynn, the president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL).

“Healey ignored their questions and concerns on August 10, and she has once again prevented any dialogue. She has not sufficiently explained the ’emergency’ that warrants her undemocratic rejection of the people’s will, because such an emergency does not exist, only weakness on her part. Healey clearly demonstrates today how beholden she really is to the Massachusetts abortion lobby,” said Maloney Flynn.

For weeks in October, volunteers from all across Massachusetts collected signatures for the petition drive, including after Mass in western Massachusetts. Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of the Respect Life Office, sent an email to the local pro-life community encouraging them to remain steadfast, loving witnesses for life.

“My friends, though disappointed, we have done the right thing in collecting the signatures needed, as prescribed by Massachusetts Law, and following carefully the details for signature certification across the Commonwealth. Continued thanks to Bishop Byrne and all the Massachusetts bishops for their leadership, to the Compassionate Care Coalition that was formed and all who helped in any way,” he stated.

“We know our efforts have brought the issue to the forefront of many people’s minds and hearts, an issue of human rights for the most innocent among us. Every effort we make as a pro-life community here in our diocese, in Western Mass and across the state helps to educate, and perhaps move one more heart to understanding the preciousness of human life,” he said.

MCFL and its coalition partners are preparing for a two-year public education campaign leading up to the November 2028 referendum, when voters will have the chance to repeal the law via ballot question.

To learn more about pregnancy help resources, post-abortive ministry or how you can support families, go to diospringfield.org.