Massachusetts Bill Requiring the Use of Anesthesia on a Fetus Prior to an Abortion (H 3322)

H 3322 would require physicians to anesthetize the fetus prior to performing certain abortions for the purpose of preventing fetal pain.

The bill contains the following exceptions:

• Risk to the life of the pregnant person, or substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant person, if anesthesia is administered to the fetus;
• If the pregnancy has not reached 20 weeks gestation; or
• The pregnant person refuses the procedure.

This legislation is based on the disputed theory that fetuses can feel pain at 20 weeks.

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Related Legislation

Identical to H 2288, which failed to pass during the 2017-2018 legislative session.

Similar to H 1930, which failed to pass in 2013.

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Latest Action

1/22/19 – Introduced; referred to Joint Judiciary Committee.

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People