This bill requires New Jersey correctional facilities to provide female inmates with a single dose of Levonorgestrel (Plan B) upon request to prevent pregnancy. It allows inmates to consult with medical professionals about the medication and mandates generic substitutions when possible. The policy directly affects female inmates in state correctional facilities, ensuring access to emergency contraception without requiring a prescription. The bill takes effect three months after enactment, aligning with the medication's standard 72-hour window for effectiveness after potential exposure.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DHS) to establish a three-year pilot program to prevent and address obstetric discrimination in maternity care. It directly targets Black mothers, who face a maternal mortality rate 2.6 times higher than white mothers (69.9 vs. 26.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021), by mandating that hospitals measure and address discrimination as a factor in care quality - not just clinical outcomes. The program will develop new quality improvement tools that incorporate patient experiences of discrimination, rather than relying on current metrics that overlook racial bias. The pilot aims to reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve care safety during pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year postpartum.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a voluntary shared decision-making tool for maternity care hospitals and birthing centers. The tool provides standardized patient questionnaires, educational materials on birth options and risks (like cesarean sections), and resources to help patients collaborate with providers on care choices and develop birth plans. A three-year pilot program will test the tool at selected facilities across the state, tracking specific outcomes like rates of non-medically indicated inductions and cesarean sections. Participating facilities must report findings to the DOH, Governor, and Legislature after the pilot to inform potential statewide implementation.
S 249 establishes a three-year oral health pilot program (the "MOM Project") in New Jersey's Department of Health, targeting low-income pregnant women and new mothers who live in medically underserved areas and are not enrolled in Medicaid. The program provides free oral health education (at least three hours covering hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention), followed by one year of dental care including cleanings, risk assessments, and necessary treatments through community health centers. It appropriates $4.15 million to fund outreach, education, and dental services, requiring participating centers to partner with nonprofit maternal health groups to develop personalized treatment plans. The initiative aims to improve oral health outcomes for mothers and infants while collecting data on the program's impact.
This bill requires hospitals, birthing centers, and healthcare providers in New Jersey to screen pregnant people or those who recently gave birth (within six weeks) for endometriosis if they were diagnosed with preeclampsia and later show symptoms. Providers must first give patients education about endometriosis and its warning signs, then obtain written consent for screening (or document a written refusal using a standardized form). If screening is positive, providers must discuss results and develop a treatment plan to manage endometriosis risks. The Commissioner of Health will create the educational program and screening guidelines in consultation with the Endometriosis Foundation of America.
This bill defines "born alive" as any infant expelled with vital signs (breathing, heartbeat, or movement), regardless of cause (including abortion or attempted abortion). It requires healthcare professionals present during such births to provide the same medical care and immediate hospital transport as for any newborn, with violations punishable as a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison or $15,000 fine). Healthcare staff who fail to report noncompliance face fourth-degree criminal charges (up to 18 months in prison or $10,000 fine), while mothers of such infants are shielded from conspiracy charges and may sue violators for damages. The law applies directly to healthcare providers in abortion facilities and hospitals, mandating specific medical and reporting obligations for infants born alive during abortion procedures.
This bill requires midwives and physicians who provide obstetric care to give pregnant patients written, evidence-based information about all available birthing options (including hospital births, home births, scheduled procedures, and associated health risks) before labor begins. The information must be provided in English and at least seven common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficiency patients in New Jersey, based on census data. Providers must also offer annual language-appropriate education on these options during pregnancy. The law applies directly to pregnant patients receiving care from certified midwives or physicians in New Jersey, aiming to improve informed decision-making.
This bill requires New Jersey's four-year public universities to create and update annual plans ensuring student access to reproductive health services, including referrals for contraception (including emergency contraception), STI testing/treatment, prenatal care, and abortion. It mandates 24-hour access to over-the-counter contraception via campus vending machines, retail, or health centers, plus evidence-based education. County colleges must develop referral networks to local providers for off-campus reproductive care. The law does not require institutions to directly provide services but sets specific access requirements, effective seven months after enactment.
New Jersey's S 2260 strengthens legal protections for patients and providers accessing or delivering reproductive and gender-affirming health care services within the state. The bill explicitly defines "legally protected health care activities" to include seeking, providing, or assisting with these services (such as abortion, contraception, or gender-affirming care), regardless of a patient's location. It prohibits obstruction, intimidation, or physical barriers at facilities offering these services and grants licensing boards authority to impose civil penalties for violations. This directly affects patients traveling to New Jersey for care (not available in their home states) and healthcare providers operating in these fields. The law codifies existing protections to prevent harassment or violence against these services, following increased threats and protests nationwide after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
This bill establishes a voluntary, three-year pilot program in New Jersey to provide Medicaid-covered remote maternal health services for eligible pregnant beneficiaries. It allows access to tele-ultrasound, remote patient monitoring (like digital blood pressure checks), and remote non-stress tests via secure digital tools, with services offered only upon a healthcare provider's referral. Eligibility includes those with high-risk pregnancies (e.g., due to diabetes, age, or previous preterm births), residents in areas lacking obstetric providers, or individuals facing socioeconomic barriers like transportation issues. Participation is strictly voluntary and requires federal reimbursement approval before implementation.
