Crime & Safety
Gov. Baker Signing 2 Bills Today You May Want To Know About
'It's a good day for Massachusetts," Baker said.
Anti-abortion laws are being wiped off the state law books and at the end of the year the legal age to purchase tobacco products will climb to 21 after Gov. Charlie Baker signed the first of two new laws on Friday at events that could become a common occurrence over the next couple of weeks.
Baker's office said the governor plans to sign the "NASTY Women Act" at a ceremony at 10 a.m. in the State House library where he will be joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler, Rep. Claire Cronin, Rep. Kate Hogan, Rep. Byron Rushing, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts CEO Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak and NARAL Pro Choice Massachusetts Executive Director Rebecca Hart Holder.
It's the same location where in November the governor signed a law insulating Massachusetts from federal changes to birth control coverage under Obamacare, protecting a woman's right to free contraception.
Find out what's happening in Beacon Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The bill (S 2260) Baker signed repeals old and unenforced laws still on the books in Massachusetts banning abortion and access to contraception for unmarried women. The bill was passed amid heightened concern among Democrats that the historic Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide could be threatened by ideological shifts on the Supreme Court under President Trump.
"It's a good day for Massachusetts," Baker said.
Find out what's happening in Beacon Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Massachusetts, according to Emily's List, was one of 10 state with pre-Roe abortion bans still on the books.
The other bill (H 4486) that Baker will sign Friday raises the legal purchasing age of tobacco statewide from 18 to 21 beginning in 2019. The legislation is intended to curb smoking rates and reduce long-term health care costs by stopping young adults from starting the habit at an age when they are more likely to become long-term smokers.
Supporters also say it would create uniformity as many towns have taken it upon themselves to raise the legal purchasing age of cigarettes and other products. Baker will sign the tobacco bill at 2 p.m. in his office in a ceremony that has been advised as photo-only for press coverage.
Photo Katie Lannan, State House News