Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation Thursday expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care in New Jersey, creating new safeguards for patients and providers facing harassment, professional sanctions or legal action from other states.
The new law, S-2260/A-2218, makes it a crime to injure, threaten, intimidate or physically obstruct someone seeking or providing reproductive health care. It also prohibits damaging property to interfere with those services and allows patients and providers to sue individuals who block access to lawful care.
The measure expands New Jersey’s existing shield law to include gender-affirming care, limiting the ability of state agencies and licensing boards to cooperate with out-of-state investigations intended to punish conduct that is legal in New Jersey.
“We have seen attacks from the Trump administration and other states on access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, and attempts to impose restrictions across state borders,” Sherrill said. “Here in New Jersey, we are standing firm in defense of reproductive freedoms — including the right to choose and the right to receive gender-affirming care.”
The law also protects health care professionals from licensing penalties or adverse medical malpractice insurance actions based solely on providing reproductive or gender-affirming care that is legal in New Jersey. It restricts the disclosure of patient information without authorization and took effect immediately.
Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark), a prime sponsor, said the measure was the product of two years of advocacy by patients, parents and medical professionals.
“These are deeply personal decisions that should be made privately — not criminalized, politicized, or reduced to a culture-war talking point,” Ruiz said. “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.”
The bill was also sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Linden) and Assemblywomen Shanique Speight (D-Newark), Ellen Park (D-Englewood Cliffs), Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) and Luanne Peterpaul (D-Long Branch).
Sherrill’s administration included more than $52 million for family planning services and reproductive health access in the fiscal year 2027 state budget. The state also maintains an online reproductive health information hub describing available services and patient rights.
Trenton Councilwoman Jennifer Williams, a Republican who is transgender, said extending the shield law would protect access to medically necessary care.
“Governor Sherrill’s signing of this bill will guarantee access to medically necessary transgender healthcare and will save lives here in New Jersey,” Williams stated. “After advocating for these legal protections for so many years, I am thankful for the governor’s leadership and strong support of New Jerseyans like me. Especially given recent actions by our federal government, I am even more proud to call New Jersey home.”
The bill was approved along party lines.
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October 8, 2021