Garden State Equality and our partner advocates continue to have meaningful conversations to refine key aspects of legislation protecting patients and providers of reproductive healthcare and healthcare for transgender people.
The progress we’ve made thus far reflects the tireless advocacy and courage of all who showed up to continue to push the bill forward; this lays the groundwork for future movement on the bill.
Medical care for transgender and gender diverse people continues to be safe, essential, and legal in New Jersey, with the additional layer of protection that will continue to be afforded by Executive Order 326, signed by Governor Murphy in 2023.
As we’ve seen in other states, shield laws have proven critical to pushing back against the Trump administration’s unlawful attempts to seize the sensitive healthcare data of vulnerable children.
“This is about the freedom to exist without fear, the right to autonomy over our bodies, and the government reestablishing trust with our communities. When protections are not codified, they are mutable,” said Garden State Equality Acting Director Brielle Winslow-Majette . “While no one should have to travel across state lines to receive care, if they do come to New Jersey, they deserve to know that both their healthcare and their providers are protected here.”
However, passage of this bill would solidify that the Garden State will remain a place where trans and gender diverse people are welcome and safe. Our residents, visitors, and providers deserve to know that their reproductive rights and gender affirming care are equally protected no matter what.
We are especially grateful to the advocates — many of them transgender and gender diverse people, their parents, and their providers — who have fought tirelessly for the passage of this legislation. In sharing their stories, they have moved many members of our Legislature toward a greater understanding of what is at stake: access to lifesaving care for ourselves, our communities, and our children.
We will continue working with our partners on this bill, including Planned Parenthood and ACLU-NJ, as well as other key stakeholders to push for swift action at the start of the next legislative session.
Sustained collaboration with legislative, policy, and community leaders will ensure we meet our goal to have the bill on Governor-Elect Mikie Sherill’s desk in the first quarter of 2026.
“Legislative leaders have personally assured me this is an issue they support and that we will expeditiously pass this bill in the new legislative session,” said Garden State Equality Action Fund Board Chair Jeannine Frisby LaRue. “Furthermore, I am confident Governor-Elect Sherrill will enthusiastically sign this bill into law.”
To keep up the momentum, visit jerseytrans.care to contact your legislator.