Legislature rejects Baker’s changes to expansion of abortion access Gov. Charlie Baker speaks at a press conference Friday. State House News Service Published: 12/19/2020 8:00:15 AM NORTHAMPTON — Both the state Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly rejected Gov. Charlie Baker’s amendment to abortion rights legislation included in the budget this week, in a move cheered by local abortion rights supporters. “It’s a moving moment,” said Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, who voted Friday with 31 other senators to reject the amendment. “I feel proud to live in Massachusetts.” The abortion provisions, based on proposed abortion rights legislation known as the ROE Act, establish an affirmative right to abortion in state law, eliminate the parental consent requirement for abortions for 16- and 17-year-olds, and would allow abortions after 24 weeks in the case of lethal fetal abnormalities or when a fetus is incapable of sustained life outside of the uterus, as well as to preserve a patient’s life or physical or mental health.