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 legal changes in other states. It establishes the right for residents and visitors to safely access these services and defines key terms such as "legally protected health care activity" and "gender-affirming health care services." The legislation amends existing laws to ensure that health care providers are not penalized for offering legal services in New Jersey, even if those services are illegal elsewhere, and prohibits the use of state resources to assist in investigations from other states that could impose liability on individuals for engaging in these activities.

Additionally, the bill criminalizes interference with reproductive and gender-affirming health care services, outlining specific actions that constitute such interference and establishing penalties that range from disorderly persons offenses to second-degree crimes. It allows for civil actions by individuals affected by such interference, enabling them to seek damages and injunctive relief. The bill also updates existing laws to affirm the right to choose assisted reproductive technology without independent rights for embryos or fetuses, removes certain investigative requirements for fetal deaths, and repeals outdated statutes related to abortion and parental notification. Overall, the legislation aims to reinforce New Jersey's commitment to reproductive health rights and provide clear legal recourse against those who obstruct access to these essential 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