New Jersey’s Battle Over Abortion Isn’t Finished; 9 Laws Proposed

NEW JERSEY — A sweeping package of reproductive rights bills was introduced in New Jersey on Monday as the nation marks the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision on abortion.

It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court voted to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, granting individual states the authority to make their own rules about abortion rights. The case – Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization – set off a firestorm of controversy across the nation, including the Garden State.

That fire hasn’t died out – and in fact, it’s burning even stronger than ever, advocates say.

On Monday, state Democratic leaders – flanked by several pro-abortion advocacy groups – introduced a package of nine proposed laws involving reproductive health issues.

In New Jersey, abortion access is protected by state law via the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which Gov. Phil Murphy signed in 2022. See Related: NJ Abortion Law Sees Fierce Controversy; Here's What It Will Do

The new bills include proposals to further codify the right to an abortion into New Jersey’s law books. Other proposals include a plan to require health insurance and Medicaid coverage for “reproductive health care services,” and bills that would carve out millions of dollars in state funding to strengthen access to health care for women.

The separate bills in the Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package include:

• S.1513 - Requires Medicaid to cover emergency contraception without requiring a prescription or other authorization.
• S.3490 - Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities.
• S.3452 - Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for reproductive health care services; prohibits adverse actions by medical malpractice insurers in relation to performance of health care services.
• S.3491 - Secures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing legally protected health care activities; establishes right of residents to legally protected health care services, which are restricted in other states.
• S.3492 - Creates “Reproductive Health Care Access Fund” to strengthen access to reproductive health care; makes appropriation.
• S.3493 - Requires affirmative written consent for certain entities to disclose individual’s medical information regarding reproductive health care services, with limited exceptions, unless disclosure is necessary to provide those services.
• S.3494 - Requires four-year public institution of higher education to develop and implement reproductive health services plan; requires county college to develop referral network for reproductive health care services.
• S.3495- Establishes Reproductive Health Care Professionals Loan Redemption Program; appropriates $5 million.
• S.3496- Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support reproductive health care services.

Speaking at a news conference in Trenton, Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz said that every New Jersey resident deserves the right to make decisions about their own body, life and future – “without interference or fear.”

“Our new legislative package reaffirms our commitment to ensuring these fundamental human rights are upheld and protected for generations to come,” urged Ruiz, who represents the state’s 29th district (Newark, East Newark and Harrison).

The package of proposed laws has picked up support from several leading advocacy groups, including the Thrive New Jersey coalition, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, Garden State Quality, the ACLU of New Jersey, the Cherry Hill Women's Center, the New Jersey Family Planning League, the National Council of Jewish Women (Essex County Section), and New Jersey Policy Perspective.

“With 21 states and counting having eliminated or severely restricted access to abortion, the time is now for New Jersey to do everything in our power to enhance reproductive freedom,” said Kaitlyn Wojtowicz of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey.

“These bills respond to the post-Roe healthcare landscape and protect New Jersey in the face of future attacks on reproductive freedom,” Wojtowicz added.

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