This bill seeks to enhance protections for patients and providers involved in reproductive health and gender-affirming care in New Jersey, particularly in response to restrictive laws in other states following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. It establishes the right for residents and visitors to safely access these health care services and defines relevant terms. Key provisions include preventing penalties for health care providers assisting individuals from states where such services are illegal, as long as they are lawful in New Jersey, and declaring that out-of-state laws imposing liability for engaging in legally protected health care activities are against New Jersey's public policy.

Additionally, the bill introduces the crime of "interference with reproductive or gender-affirming health care services," which encompasses actions like inflicting bodily harm, obstructing access, and unauthorized recording near health care facilities. It categorizes these offenses with varying degrees of crime and allows for civil actions against violators. The legislation also clarifies rights regarding assisted reproductive technology, removes certain outdated requirements related to fetal deaths, and repeals statutes that conflict with its objectives, thereby reinforcing the fundamental right to reproductive choice and ensuring protections for individuals seeking these essential health services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45:1-22, 2A:160-14.1, 2A:84A-22.18, 2A:84A-22.19, 10:7-2, 26:6B-10