Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed a law removing gestational limits on abortion, prompting strong criticism from conservatives and exposing divisions among Democrats in the state. Supporters frame the measure as improving patients’ access to care, while opponents describe it as allowing abortions too late in pregnancy and raise concerns about its ethical and medical implications.

The legislation, titled the Prioritising Patient Access to Care Act, passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives by 119 votes to 33 in July. The Fox News report says some Massachusetts Democrats joined conservatives in opposing the measure, with critics using terms including “extremist” and “barbaric” to characterise the law.