 The NJ Reproductive Freedom Act )S3030/A4848) was introduced in the Senate and Assembly on October 8, 2020. Senate sponsors are Senator Lorretta Weinberg(D-37) and Linda Greenstein (D-14). The Assembly Sponsors are as follows: Asw. Valerie Vanieri Huttle (D-37), Mila Jasey (D-27), Raj Mukherji (D-33), Annette Chaparro (D-33), Joann Downey (D-11), Angela McKnight (D-31), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-15), Annette Quijano (D-20), Yvonne Lopez (D-19). The NJ Reproductive Freedom Act is an extreme bill that will allow abortions up until birth. Listed below are some of the provisions in the bill. Explicitly guarantee, to every individual, the fundamental right to reproductive autonomy, which includes the right to contraception, the right to abortion and the right to carry a pregnancy to term.” Codifies 1982 NJ Supreme Court Decision, Right to Choose v. Byrne which protects the right to abortion and exceeds protections established under the U.S. Constitution. The bill will apply to all residents “and those who come to this state” including those who are incarcerated. Abortions will be allowed throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy. The bill says “a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus shall not have independent rights under the laws of this state.” Invalidate existing laws and prohibits the future adoption of all laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, resolutions, policies, standards or parts thereof, that conflict with the provisions of the bill. Expressly invalidates all rules and regulations promulgated by the NJ Board of Medical Examiners which regulate and apply exclusively to termination of pregnancy. This will also invalidate NJ’s conscience clause which has been in effect since 1973 which protects the right of individuals to refuse to perform or assist in abortion procedures. Permits non- physicians to perform abortions. Under the bill, qualified health care professionals licensed under Title 45 can provide abortions services in the state. Defines health care professional as “person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to provide health care services, including, but not limited to a physician, advance practice nurse, physician assistant, certified midwife or certified nurse midwife. “ Exempts prosecution for individuals “terminating or attempting to terminate the individual’s own pregnancy; or acting or failing to act in any manner, with respect to the individual’s own pregnancy, based on the potential or actual impact on the individual’s own health or pregnancy.” Further, the bill “eliminates the requirement that a medicolegal death investigation be conducted in a case where a fetal death occurs without medical attendance.” This language will grant immunity from prosecution for cases, including, but not limited to the Prom Mom, where infants have been born alive and left to die, or through a deliberate act, are killed. Mandates annual allocation of taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood under Title X in the state budget. Requires all insurance carriers to provide coverage for abortions and expands coverage for contraceptives to a long term (12 month) supply. Religious employers could request an exclusion if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer’s bona fide religious beliefs and practices. Please click on the blue hyperlink below to Oppose this bill: Action Needed to Oppose the NJ Reproductive Freedom Act (S3030/A4848) Thank you |
