Abortion Access Expanded in Mass. as Legislature Overrides Baker's Veto "Beginning today, pregnant people who once faced near-insurmountable barriers accessing abortion care can now seize the right to control their own bodies," said Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler Published December 29, 2020 • Updated on December 29, 2020 at 3:11 pm Getty Images Abortion rights will be formally codified in Massachusetts law and access to the procedure will be expanded after the Senate on Tuesday joined the House in overriding Gov. Charlie Baker's veto of the legislation. The bill, known as the ROE Act, expands access to abortion beyond 24 weeks in cases of fatal fetal anomalies and lower the age of consent from 18 to 16. Current state law allows abortions after 24 weeks only to preserve the life or health of the mother.