An emergency amendment protecting Massachusetts nurses who provide reproductive care from discipline was adopted Wednesday by the Board of Registration in Nursing.The amendment will ensure nurses will not be fired or disciplined for assisting in reproductive health care services in Massachusetts. The adoption comes less than two weeks before the Trump administration is set to take over.”When Roe was overturned, we worked with the Legislature to take immediate action to protect providers and patients from liability for providing or receiving an abortion. Today, with attacks on reproductive health care and providers escalating across the country, we’re proud to take action to further strengthen those protections,” Healey said in a statement.Massachusetts already has an abortion shield law that protects providers from out-of-state legal action as well as patients traveling to Massachusetts from other states for care. On Wednesday, the Board of Registration in Nursing voted unanimously to codify into regulation parts of the shield law to reassure nurses they’ll be protected if they perform an abortion or any gender-affirming care. Registered nurse Katie Murphy is confident that the amendment will protect nurses across the state. “Nurses and health care providers can provide the care that our patients need evidence based on the needs that our patient requires and our licenses and our professional livelihoods will be protected,” Murphy said. “We think this is the right thing to do and the safest thing for our patients and our community.”The approved emergency aspect of the amendment allows it to go into effect for three months while it is reviewed on a regular timeline. Public comment will also be heard and then the amendment may be finalized by the Board of Registration. The state’s Department of Public Health said Wednesday it plans to adopt similar amendments and provide the same protections to providers who also assist in reproductive healthcare services. The following state boards are also expected to follow suit within the coming weeks.January 9:Board of Registration in MedicineBoard of Registration in PharmacyBoard of Registration of Physical AssistantsJanuary 10:Board of Registration of PsychologistsJanuary 28: Board of Registration of Social WorkersFebruary 6: Board of Registration of Genetic Counselors
An emergency amendment protecting Massachusetts nurses who provide reproductive care from discipline was adopted Wednesday by the Board of Registration in Nursing.
The amendment will ensure nurses will not be fired or disciplined for assisting in reproductive health care services in Massachusetts. The adoption comes less than two weeks before the Trump administration is set to take over.
“When Roe was overturned, we worked with the Legislature to take immediate action to protect providers and patients from liability for providing or receiving an abortion. Today, with attacks on reproductive health care and providers escalating across the country, we’re proud to take action to further strengthen those protections,” Healey said in a statement.
Massachusetts already has an abortion shield law that protects providers from out-of-state legal action as well as patients traveling to Massachusetts from other states for care.
On Wednesday, the Board of Registration in Nursing voted unanimously to codify into regulation parts of the shield law to reassure nurses they’ll be protected if they perform an abortion or any gender-affirming care.
Registered nurse Katie Murphy is confident that the amendment will protect nurses across the state.
“Nurses and health care providers can provide the care that our patients need evidence based on the needs that our patient requires and our licenses and our professional livelihoods will be protected,” Murphy said. “We think this is the right thing to do and the safest thing for our patients and our community.”
The approved emergency aspect of the amendment allows it to go into effect for three months while it is reviewed on a regular timeline. Public comment will also be heard and then the amendment may be finalized by the Board of Registration.
The state’s Department of Public Health said Wednesday it plans to adopt similar amendments and provide the same protections to providers who also assist in reproductive healthcare services.
The following state boards are also expected to follow suit within the coming weeks.
January 9:
Board of Registration in Medicine
Board of Registration in Pharmacy
Board of Registration of Physical Assistants
January 10:
Board of Registration of Psychologists
January 28:
Board of Registration of Social Workers
February 6:
Board of Registration of Genetic Counselors
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