New Jersey Takes Bold Action to Protect Patients and Providers of Reproductive and Gender Affirming Health Care

The New Jersey Assembly passed A2218, which secures additional protections for patients and providers of reproductive health and gender-affirming care services in New Jersey. This is a huge win for New Jersey and ensures that everyone in the state can access reproductive and gender affirming health care safely and with dignity.

The Thrive NJ coalition thanks Senate Majority Leader Ruiz, Assemblywomen Speight and Peterpaul, and all of the sponsors of S2260/A2218 for their support of this monumental legislation. The Thrive New Jersey coalition members released the following statements in response to today’s vote:

QUOTES:

Jesse Burns, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey.
"The League of Women Voters of New Jersey is proud of New Jersey for standing up in strong support of bodily autonomy and protecting patients and providers. Our grassroots membership urges Governor Sherrill to swiftly sign this legislation into law."

Lauren Albrecht, Director of Advocacy Garden State Equality
“Garden State Equality believes that our providers of reproductive and transgender healthcare are heroes, but increasingly, our professional, trained, discerning, experienced providers fear they won’t be able to do their jobs if outside entities are given permission to interfere in any way. If they can’t do their jobs, our communities cannot receive the lifesaving, medically necessary, and proven-effective treatment we rely on.

"That's why the passage of S2260/A2218 is a welcomed and needed addition to our state laws at this time.

"We are encouraged in this moment that New Jersey is headed in the right direction to ensure bodily autonomy remains safe and protected, and we remain grateful to Senate Majority Leader Ruiz, Senate President Scutari, and Assembly sponsors Speight, Park, Quijano and Peterpaul for staying the course to make this bill a reality. We look forward to our staunch ally, Governor Mikie Sherrill, signing this bill into law."

Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ
“This is a momentous day for New Jersey. At PPAFNJ, we are committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of all people who receive or provide reproductive health care, including gender-affirming care. This bill makes that vision a reality across the state of New Jersey. As the federal government turns its back on patients, providers, and clinic safety, these protections send a powerful message that New Jersey will continue to defend reproductive freedom for all. PPAFNJ thanks the sponsors of this bill for their commitment and determination in getting this bill over the finish line.”

Faith Daniel, MPH, Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey
"We are proud of New Jersey's continued commitment to protecting reproductive freedom through the passage of S2260/A2218. This critical legislation strengthens safeguards for patients seeking reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, while providing essential protections for the health care providers who deliver these services. At a time when access to care is under attack across the country, New Jersey has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that individuals can make decisions about their own bodies, health, and futures without political interference. While we celebrate this important victory, our work is not done. Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey will continue to provide sexual and reproductive healthcare with compassion and care . The fight continues, and we remain committed to building a future where everyone can access the care they need with dignity, safety, and respect, No matter what."

Jenifer Groves, President and CEO of the New Jersey Family Planning League
“The passage of legislation A2218/S2260 is a monumental victory for bodily autonomy and health equity in New Jersey. At the League, we know that all individuals have a fundamental right to reproductive care and gender-affirming services. By securing these critical protections, our state is sending a clear message: patients deserve access to the essential services they need, and providers deserve to deliver that care, safely and confidentially, without fear of repercussions. We are deeply grateful to the bill’s sponsors and our partners in the Thrive NJ coalition for their unwavering commitment to protecting health care access for all.”

DaWuan Norwood, Policy Counsel at the ACLU of New Jersey
“The New Jersey Legislature has taken an important step in safeguarding access to essential health care services in the state by passing S2260/A2218. This legislation will provide vital protections to ensure patients and providers can continue to access and administer critical, legally available health care services without fear of intimidation or retribution. As federal attacks on reproductive and gender-affirming care continue across the country, we applaud the Legislature for passing this important measure to affirm our state’s commitment to the safety, autonomy, and dignity of all New Jerseyans. We urge Gov. Sherrill to sign this bill into law to ensure reproductive health care is accessible to everyone who needs it.”

Phoebe Pollinger, Chair of the Reproductive Rights Committee at Tovah
“The state of New Jersey took an important step to ensure anyone providing or accessing reproductive health and gender-affirming care is protected from legal attacks by other states with the passage of S2260/A2218. Tovah actively champions a just and compassionate world which includes the right to bodily autonomy and access to all reproductive healthcare safely and with dignity. We thank all the sponsors, advocates and Thrive NJ Coalition partners for their support of this critical legislation.”

Bari-Lynne Schwartz, Co-President of the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section
“The state of New Jersey took a significant step with the passage of S2260/A2218. Both patients receiving reproductive and gender affirming care and providers will be protected from legal attacks from other states. NCJW Bergen County Section appreciates and applauds all the sponsors, advocates, and the Thrive NJ Coalition partners for their steadfast commitment to the passage of this essential legislation.”

Jami Thall & Carol Loscalzo, UU Faith Action NJ
“UU Faith Action NJ applauds our NJ legislators for the passage of S2260/A2228. In the 4 years since Roe was overturned, the ability to access reproductive health care, which includes abortion care and gender affirming care, has been under relentless attack in many states and at the Federal level. But here in New Jersey our legislators have once again chosen to lead with courage, to ensure that both patients and their healthcare providers are protected under the law. We urge the Governor to sign this bill without delay. And we at UUFANJ will continue to advocate for access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare for everyone who needs care here in our state.”