TRENTON – Today, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and Senate President Nick Scutari that strengthens protections for patients and providers of reproductive health care services in New Jersey. 

“Amid efforts across the country to restrict reproductive and gender-affirming care, today’s signing of this shield law marks the culmination of two years of relentless advocacy and courage. Often in the face of fear and uncertainty, parents, medical professionals, and patients of all ages bravely shared their experiences to remind New Jersey of the humanity at the heart of this law — that no matter our differences, everyone deserves access to the care they need without harassment, and no doctor should face punishment for providing lawful treatment,” said Senate Majority Leader Ruiz (D-Essex/Hudson). 

“These are deeply personal decisions that should be made privately — not criminalized, politicized, or reduced to a culture-war talking point. Every person deserves control over their own body, and I thank Governor Sherrill for being an ally in the fight to advance health equity, defend individual liberties, and protect the freedom to seek and provide care without fear,” Ruiz said.

“New Jerseyans receiving or providing reproductive care should feel confident that when they enter an exam room in our state, they are fully protected under the law,” said Senate President Scutari (D-Union/Somerset). 

“By shielding patients and doctors from efforts to undermine their bodily autonomy and medical expertise, we are strengthening New Jersey’s commitment to accessible, safe, and evidence-based reproductive health care services,” Scutari said.

The bill, S-2260, responds to efforts by other states to criminalize or take legal action against patients and providers who seek or administer reproductive health care in New Jersey. Reproductive health care encompasses a myriad of services, such as pregnancy, assisted reproductive technology, contraception, miscarriage management, abortion, and services that support a person’s alignment with their gender identity or expression, delivered in accordance with New Jersey law.  

The bill strengthens criminal and civil protections for individuals seeking care and the providers who offer these services in New Jersey, and expands the definition of reproductive health care services to more accurately reflect the full spectrum of care. 

It also updates current law to prohibit state agencies from sharing information with interstate investigations seeking to prosecute individuals for receiving or providing reproductive health care, and prevents coordination with extradition requests related to lawful reproductive health care services. 

State or local law enforcement could not arrest or participate in the arrest of a person based solely on their involvement in reproductive health care services, and state court employees would be prohibited from issuing a subpoena, search warrant, or ex parte order for wiretapping based only on reproductive health care activity. 

This bill prohibits other state actors, including bounty hunters and private detectives, from apprehending someone only for engaging in reproductive health care activities within the state.

The bill adds several protections for health care providers. Medical licensing boards are prohibited from imposing any penalties on a physician solely for engaging in reproductive health care. Adverse actions, such as the loss or denial of coverage or the imposition of sanctions, fines, penalties, or rate increases against a physician for providing reproductive health care services is prohibited. 

The bill creates the offense of interfering with reproductive health care services, prohibiting actions such as threats, intimidation, physical obstruction, injury, or property damage targeting patients, providers, volunteers, or facilities involved in lawful care. Penalties vary based on the level of harm, with more serious consequences for significant injuries. 

By strengthening protections, improving accessibility, safeguarding patient privacy, and supporting providers and clinics, New Jersey will continue to have equitable, secure, and meaningful access to reproductive health care services that support every person's right to bodily autonomy.