An Act relative to deceptive trade practices

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Lindsay Sabadosa

Prohibits deceptive advertising about abortion or emergency contraception and bans attempts to reverse medication abortions, protecting patients and guiding providers.

Referred to the committee on Public Health

Overview

Bill: House Docket No. 4255, “An Act relative to deceptive trade practices”

Introduced: May 12, 2025

Presented by: Rep. Lindsay N. Sabadosa

Status: Referred to the Committee on Public Health

Context: The bill adds consumer-protection rules related to abortion services and emergency contraception, and restricts certain practices around medication abortion reversal.

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to curb deceptive advertising and practices in the provision of abortion and emergency contraception (EC), and to prohibit attempts to reverse medication abortion. It seeks to enhance patient protection by ensuring that providers and advertisers do not misrepresent services and by prohibiting deceptive interventions that could undermine a patient’s medical care.

Key provisions

Section 1 – Deceptive trade practices (Chapter 111)

Defines “Emergency contraceptive” as any FDA-approved drug used after intercourse, whether OTC or prescription.

Establishes that an unfair or deceptive act under Chapter 93A occurs if a person disseminates to the public an advertisement indicating they provide abortions or emergency contraceptives (or referrals for abortions/EC) when they know or reasonably should know they do not provide those services.

Section 2 – Prohibition on medication abortion reversal (Chapter 112)

Adds Section 12L½ defining:

“Medication abortion” as abortion performed via medication techniques.
“Medication abortion reversal” as administering, dispensing, distributing, or delivering a drug with the intent to interfere with, reverse, or halt a medication abortion.

Prohibits any licensed person from providing, prescribing, administering, or attempting medication abortion reversal.

Violations are subject to disciplinary procedures by the relevant licensing board.

Who is affected

Advertisers and providers offering abortion services or emergency contraception: subject to consumer-protection standards and potential penalties for false/misleading claims.

Licensed health professionals who may prescribe, administer, or be involved in medication abortions: prohibited from attempting reversal therapies; subject to disciplinary action for violations.

Licensing boards (medical and other health professions) administering sanctions for misconduct.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill is currently referred to the Public Health Committee (as of May 12, 2025).

It does not specify an effective date within the text provided; if enacted, it would take effect as provided in the final statute (subject to passage and signing).

The bill is part of the 2025-2026 session (Ninety-Fourth General Court).

Potential impact

Strengthens protections against deceptive advertising related to abortion and emergency contraception.

Adds a clear prohibition on attempts to reverse medication abortion, with enforcement through licensing boards.

Could influence advertising practices of clinics, pharmacies, and other entities marketing abortion/EC services, as well as professional conduct standards for providers.

Bill