By Bob Katzen

The Senate 5-35, rejected an amendment that would replace a provision, later approved, that would allow abortions after 24 weeks in the case of lethal fetal anomalies and would lower the age from 18 to 16 at which a minor can choose to have an abortion without parental or judicial consent. The amendment would still allow abortions after 24 weeks in the case of lethal fetal anomalies but would keep 18 as the age at which a minor can choose to have an abortion without parental or judicial consent.

“I filed this amendment to find common ground on an incredibly personal and emotional issue,” said the amendment’s sponsor Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “I knew trying to find compromise would be an uphill battle, but I wanted to make sure I was on record for the elements of the bill that I felt were appropriate and others, particularly the elimination of parental consent, that I did not support.”

“One of the key components of the [bill] is to remove obstacles for women to access reproductive health services, including abortion,” said Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “I voted against the amendment … because it placed an undue burden on young women, by requiring judicial consent for a decision that is properly made by the woman herself— in consultation with medical professionals, not lawyers or judges.”