New Jersey Monitor provides fair and tough reporting on the issues affecting New Jersey, from political corruption to education to criminal and social justice. WebThe Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2020 abortion rate for New Jersey was 29.2. WebRutgers Laws New Jersey Session Laws Online (1776-current) Known links to Google and HathiTrust copies are included below. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Together, we stand unwavering in our commitment to work towards reproductive freedom for all New Jerseyans.. Republicans arguments sparked fiery responses. This law will make it easier for women to access contraceptives to prevent pregnancy from happening in the first place, which is one of the best ways to help women maintain control over their own bodies and their lives., Many other medications are available to order long term supplies to ensure individuals are able to take them without interruption. The future of choice remains uncertain nationwide, she said. These provisions included a mandate for insurance to cover abortion, prenatal care, and birth control without any out-of-pocket costs, breaking down a major financial barrier that many New Jerseyans face, Wojtowicz continued. All rights reserved (About Us). We are deeply grateful to Governor Murphy, his staff, and legislators --particularly Senator Loretta Weinberg-- for their tenacity in the negotiations. The states highest court struck down the law, calling the right to choose whether to have an abortiona fundamental right of all pregnant women, including those entitled to Medicaid reimbursement for necessary medical treatment., By granting funds when life is at risk, but withholding them when health is endangered, the statute denies equal protection to those women entitled to necessary medical services under Medicaid, Justice Stewart Pollack wrote at the time. I would like to have this bill amended to include a study. We thank Governor Murphy and the bill sponsors for taking a stand in support of reproductive autonomy, and we look forward to working with the administration on ways to improve access to abortion care for all., BlueWaveNJcelebrates New Jerseys passage of the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act,said Marcia Marley, President of BlueWave. Thats more than deaths from heart disease, more than deaths from cancer, more than deaths from COVID. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Today, New Jerseyans who can become pregnant will no longer question our right to make fundamental decisions about our health, our lives, and our futures, said Roxanne Sutocky, Director of Community Engagement for Cherry Hill Womens Center. The new law is a scaled-back version of a previous bill, the Reproductive Freedom Act, which stalled in the Legislature after it was introduced in 2020 and lost more support when Republicans flipped seven Democratic legislative seats last year.The law as signed does not require insurance companies to cover abortions outright. Under Texas new restrictions, abortions are banned after six weeks, before many women know theyre pregnant. Murphy traveled to the Teaneck public library, in Weinbergs home town, to sign the bill alongside Weinberg and Vainieri Huttle, both of whom just left office. I have. Fuentes L and Jerman J, Distance traveled to obtain clinical abortion care in the United States and reasons for clinic choice, Journal of Womens Health, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2018.7496. [8], In January 2021, governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act into law, preserving the legal right to obtain an abortion, fulfilling a reelection campaign promise. WebThe bills, A3974 and A3975, shield health care providers from other states inquiries and prohibit the extradition of any person who comes to New Jersey seeking legal abortion [6] In early 2018, State Sen. Jeff Van Drew quietly withdrew his sponsorship of a bill that supported parental consent before a minor could request an abortion in New Jersey. A group of Catholic religious leaders also expressed profound disappointment and deep concern about the new law. Primary sponsors for S413/A4698 include Senators Shirley Turner and Teresa Ruiz, as well as former Assemblywoman ValerieVainieriHuttle, and Assemblymembers Mila Jasey and Raj Mukherji. However, since 2010, the U.S. abortion landscape has grown increasingly restrictive as more states adopt laws hostile to abortion rights. WebGov. Prior to that, she worked at newspapers in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and suburban Philadelphia and has freelanced for various local and national magazines, newspapers and websites. We also recognize the adolescent mental health crisis we are in. New Jersey pro-lifers gathered in the cold Saturday to protest a radical pro-abortion bill that would legalize the killing of unborn babies up to birth and force taxpayers to pay for their deaths. "[4], By the end of the 1800s, all states in the Union except Louisiana had therapeutic exceptions in their legislative bans on abortions. Web18 b. [19][13], Vikram Kaji owned a chain of abortion clinics in New Jersey in 2019, but had his medical license revoked in January 2019 because of physical and mental impairments as a result of a stroke. However, since 2010, the U.S. abortion landscape has grown increasingly restrictive as more states adopt laws hostile to abortion rights. [1], There were 76 facilities providing abortion in New Jersey in 2017, and 41 of those were clinics. Pro-abortion rights advocates regard the decision as even far more protective of a womans right to choose than Roe. Follow him on Twitter at @johnsb01. Have you seen that baby in a mamas womb? Abortion Incidence and Service Availability in the United States, 2017, International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health (19752020), Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health (19692020). Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Enacting the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act into statute will help protect the reproductive rights of women in New Jersey against the potential reversal by the United States Supreme Court. [21], In the period between 1972 and 1974, the state had an illegal abortion mortality rate per million women aged 1544 of between 0.1 and 0.9. Jones RK, Witwer E and Jerman J, Abortion Incidence and Service Availability in the United States, 2017, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2019. This legislation is critical to protecting residents of our state from infringements on their reproductive rights, regardless of what happens at the federal level. Reproductive rights are under attack. Today, we are codifying those rights into law in New Jersey, said Lt. New Jersey has only minimal regulations for abortion providers and patients. Democrats hold majorities in both the Senate and the Assembly. The legislation was an act of defiance against President Donald Trump after he defunded Planned Parenthood through the Title X program. These laws expand and protect reproductive freedom in New Jersey at a time when the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to limit or overturn the ruling in Roe v. Wade. "This law, the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, will protect this basic freedom under New Jersey statute and ensure individual choice on when and whether to have children in a time and place that is compatible with their lifestyles and beliefs. New Jersey has always stood up for a womans right to choose, said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen. During the 1940s, hospitals created committees to approve abortion requests with the goal of trying to reduce the number of abortions performed at them. Good reproductive health policy starts with credible research. New Jersey is not the only state to WebUnder Texas new restrictions, abortions are banned after six weeks, before many women know theyre pregnant. Abortion is healthcare, one sign read: Thank God for abortion, another said. Among other things,the board voted to repeal a rule requiring that abortions be performed by licensed physicians. The new law (S49), dubbed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, will also permit the state Department of Banking and Insurance to conduct a study on whether the cost of an abortion is a barrier to low-income and uninsured women, a step toward requiring insurance companies to cover the procedure. I had spent eight years introducing that bill each year, and getting it passed each year, then getting it vetoed by the then-governor of the state of New Jersey, Weinberg said, referring to Chris Christie. Ensuring coverage of these prescriptions for up to 12 months will allow more New Jerseyans to prepare ahead. Phil Murphy signs the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act outside the Teaneck Public Library on Thursday. Phil Murphy signed A6260/S49. (Photo by Sergio Flores/Getty Images). All rights reserved (About Us). [] New Jersey offers not only a hospitable business climate, but also maintains its progressive values, which include defending a woman's right to choose. Heres what the law means for residents of New Jersey. Assemblywoman Aura Dunn said she was worried that the bill lacked any kinship notification and would leave young girls alone during a most traumatic event., Seven states, including Delaware and Massachusetts, permit a minor to obtain an abortion if a grandparent or other adult relative is notified of this medical decision, Dunn said. The case arose from a challenge to a law that prohibited the state Medicaid program from paying for an abortion unless the pregnancy threatened the mothers life. Michael Sol Warren may be reached at [email protected]. Laws also existed that allowed women to drop off newborn infants at certain designated locations without providing their contact information and without facing legal consequences for child abandonment; such a law is called a Safe-Haven law. [9] (The Supreme Court did overturn Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, No. The Thrive New Jersey coalition had similar concerns. No. The heavy handed abuse of the legislative process and backroom deals that were employed to get this bill passed display arrogance, disrespect for the public, and will carry a shameful legacy for this governor and the politicians that sponsored and voted for this egregious bill, Tasy said. Sixty percent of all abortions were provided at abortion clinics, 35% at nonspecialized clinics, 3% at hospitals and 1% at physicians' offices. Through a new coalition, Working Together for NJ, pro-lifers in the state have been working hard to stop the radical pro-abortion expansion, warning that it could lead to more human trafficking as well as more abortions . Some of the most common state-level abortion restrictions are parental notification or consent requirements for minors, limitations on public funding, mandated counseling designed to dissuade individuals from obtaining an abortion, mandated waiting periods before an abortion, and unnecessary and overly burdensome regulations on abortion facilities. It will also require private insurance companies to cover birth control and abortion with no out-of-pocket costs. The abortion rights bill Murphy signed is less ambitious than the Reproductive Freedom Act, the legislation former state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, both Bergen County Democrats, introduced after President Donald Trump, a Republican, appointed Amy Coney Barrett to replace U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September 2020. 3 of these laws apply only to postviability abortions. These advocacy groups have vowed to push for a more ambitious bill in the latest legislative session, which began Tuesday and lasts two years. Phil Murphy signed a bill Thursday codifying the right to an abortion into state law, a move abortion rights advocates say is necessary as the U.S. Supreme Court has signaled it may overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision later this year. Murphy also signed a separate law (S413) that, Murphy in his remarks called himself a devout Catholic and said his own journey and evolution of this issue has not been easy, , adding he has trust for others, especially for those with limited means for whom restrictions on access to reproductive health care has the most devastating effect., During her remarks, Planned Parenthood CEO Alexic McGill Johnson said the small minority is loud, but we are louder, we are stronger, and we are just as relentless., On COVID's two-year anniversary in N.J., mixed reviews for, States rush to revise their abortion laws as a major U.S., Across the country, a big backlash to new renewables is, a case challenging a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks, Lawmakers passed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act Monday, requires contraceptives to be prescribed 12 months at a time. Murphy also signed legislation to expand contraception coverage under private insurance and Medicaid.. I was proud to join Senator Weinberg in fighting to ensure that the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act would become law.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Phil Murphy on Thursday signed a bill into law that preserves the legal right for women and girls to obtain an abortion in New Jersey, a protection many say is necessary The stalled bill, the Reproductive Freedom Act (S-3030), would protect and expand access to prenatal care, abortion, birth control, and other reproductive health care in New Jersey by removing financial barriers and non-medical regulations that block access to care. After the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the pledges of President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans to appoint a conservative replacement to the U.S. Supreme Court, doubts have escalated about the future of the landmark case, Roe v. Wade, and abortion access in America. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said that these boycotts would likely mean two tech companies would not base themselves in the city. As of May 2018, the state did not require waiting periods or mandatory parental consent for abortions or prohibit state funding for abortions. This new legislation ensures decisions about contraception, abortion, and carrying a pregnancy to term are protected in state statute. Justice for babies outside the womb also is at risk. Abortion care is just as much about economic justice as it is about reproductive freedom, saidSheilaReynertson, Senior Policy Analyst, New Jersey Policy Perspective. We firmly believe everyone deserves the ability to make their own personal health choices when it comes to birth control, abortion and pregnancy-related care. The 2020 abortion rate across the entire United States was 14.4. [18], In 2014, Steven C. Brigham lost his medical license and was ordered by theNew Jersey Board of Medical Examiners to divest his ownership in six abortion clinics. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Phil Murphy, after signing legislation codifying abortion rights in NJ. Unfortunately, for too many New Jerseyans, those legal rights do not translate into access, especially for young people, communities of color, low-income communities, the LGBTQIA community and undocumented individuals. We are grateful for the constant advocacy by the governor, legislative champions, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, the Thrive New Jersey Coalition, and more to ensure the state met the moment and secured access to essential health care in the state. The reality is that, ever since Roe v. Wade was decided, abortion care has been out of reach for far too many people in New Jersey. In 2022, New Jersey showed its commitment to abortion rights by passing a law that ensures it remains legal in the state. Phil Murphy and legislators work to make New Weinberg received a standing ovation at the event. TEANECK Governor Phil Murphy, alongside Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, former Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, former Assemblywoman ValerieVainieriHuttle,and Alexis McGill Johnson, President of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and many other legislative sponsors and advocates, today signed the historic Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act (S49/A6260), which codifies the constitutional right to freedom of reproductive choice in New Jersey. To the men speaking out against a womans right to decide their own futures, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, D-Hudson said moments before the vote: Until you have a vagina, you have nothing to say.. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. And when I tell you that the picture they sent me when he was just 28 weeks old, that it looks just like he looks on my little medallion here I want you to ask yourself, Can you abort that child?, Assemblyman Jay Webber Abortion is the leading cause of death in the state of New Jersey. All Republicans abstained or voted against it. The Arizona Supreme Court issued a new order on Thursday, granting the motion for expedited consideration of Kari Lakes lawsuit against Katie Hobbs and the stolen 2022 Election in Arizona. This bill and the rhetoric weve heard from the other side is: any abortion, at any time, for any reason, on any one, paid for by the taxpayer, Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris) said before the Assembly voted. These laws would be addressed in attended the outdoor bill-signing ceremony. The codification of the right to abortion in statute is good for women, it is good for families, it is good for business, it is good for New Jersey." New Jersey Monitor provides fair and tough reporting on the issues affecting New Jersey, from political corruption to education to criminal and social justice. Susan K. Livio may be reached at [email protected]. State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, echoed Vainieri Huttles point. At a time when access to reproductive health care is under attack across the country, New Jersey has shown what it means to stand up for its residents. That year, 23% of women in the state aged 1544 lived in a county without an abortion clinic. I have a 1-year-old grandson. Two thirds of New Jerseyans support the bill, according to a March poll by the National Institute for Reproductive Health. Instead of providing real solutions to decrease the high rate of maternal and infant mortalities and health care disparities among certain populations in New Jersey, S3030/A4848 is perversely laser-focused on barbarically destroying the lives of infants, both before and after they are born, she said. Now more than ever, the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act is crucial. She lives in Central Jersey with her husband, a photojournalist, and their two children. These were investigated and later resulted in Brigham losing his medical license. We strive to hold powerful people accountable and explain how their actions affect New Jerseyans from Montague to Cape May. So if the foundation of that series of case laws is impacted, impaired, taken away, the entire reality in our state falls like a house of cards, which is why we need to, as soon as possible, put this protection into statute.. Abortion ratios also decreased or did not change from 2010 to 2019 for all age groups, except adolescents aged <15 years. All healthcare professionals are bound by law to adhere to HIPAA confidentiality rules unless the minor is suspected of being a victim of child abuse or neglect, is a harm to self or others, or listed by the insurance the minor may be attempting to use. However, far too many New Jerseyans remain unable to access this fundamental right. Murphy, a Catholic, addressed opponents of the new law, saying we can each hold our personal, deeply felt views and still respect each individuals ability to make their own decision., Gov. In particular, the If Roe falls, individual states will decide whether to make abortion legal or not, or whether to impose restrictions. They also decried the swiftness with which the bill passed the Legislature, just four days after its introduction. Contact Editor Terrence McDonald for questions: [email protected]. Abortion related laws were drafted by the legislature by the end of the 1900s. New Jersey does not have the restrictions on abortions that other states like Pennsylvania have. WebAbortion Rights in New Jersey Abortion remains legal in New Jersey, and no matter where youre from, we strongly support your right to access abortion care here. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists says A human fetus does not have the capacity to experience pain until after viability, and that is 24 weeks, at least. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. In New Jersey, the following restrictions on abortion were in effect as of June 28, 2022: 1. 13, Section 35-4.2 (f), New Jersey requires abortion providers who offer services after the 18th week to have admitting and surgical privileges at a hospital within 20 minutes driving time of the abortion facility. On Thursday, Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said this was a historic day for New Jersey. At a press briefing Murphy said the Texas ban, which took effect after the Supreme Court took no action to block it, creates an urgency for New Jersey legislators to pass statutes to protect abortion rights sooner rather than later., Reproductive freedom in our state is built on case law, and all of that case law is in turn built on the Supreme Courts decision in Roe v. Wade, Murphy said.