TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey State Senate passed a bill today affirming crucial protections for reproductive and transgender healthcare in the state. Bill S2260 passed with a 23 to 12 vote.
“The Senate’s passage of S2260 marks a major milestone for New Jersey to confirm its commitment to ensuring everyone has equal access to vital healthcare,” said Ruth Kundstadter, parent of a trans woman and advocate, of TRC-NJ. “We urge the Assembly to swiftly move the companion bill to a vote to give transgender New Jerseyans full protection from malicious, discriminatory interference in their right to health from other states and the federal government.”
The groups advocating for the bill include the Transgender Rights Coalition of New Jersey (TRC-NJ), Garden State Equality, Lawyers for Good Government, Planned Parent Action Fund of New Jersey, SOMA Action, and WadeIn New Jersey.
“Garden State Equality is grateful to the state Senate for putting New Jersey on the cutting edge of protecting our providers, and fully recognizing our right to medical autonomy and the dignity afforded to all who call New Jersey home,” said Lauren Albrecht, Garden State Equality’s Senior Director of Advocacy & Organizing. “LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans will be able to access the medically-necessary, proven-effective, life-saving treatments our providers offer without fear of intimidation. We trust our providers to take care of us, and now we’re poised to protect them.”
“Today, New Jersey has shown the country that reproductive health and gender-affirming care will remain protected in our state,” said Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. “Amidst countless attacks on legal health care from states and the Federal government, New Jersey has an obligation to stand up for the patients and providers accessing legal health care in the state. This bill confirms New Jersey’s existing shield protections, supports the safety and security of patients and providers, and addresses the unique protections needed for reproductive health and gender-affirming care providers.
“We are thankful to Senate Majority leader Ruiz for not taking her foot off the gas when it comes to protecting our rights to control our own bodies, and we thank Senate President Scutari for his unwavering support. Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey looks forward to seeing this bill pass through the Assembly and head to Governor Sherrill’s desk for signing.”
S2260 crucially confirms that New Jersey health providers, patients, and those who support them are subject solely to New Jersey and federal law and that the state will not honor abusive out-of-state subpoenas, judgments, and criminal processes targeting lawful healthcare. It reaffirms the core principle of patient-provider confidentiality. It does not change any existing state law regarding how care is provided in New Jersey.
The new law is essential, as other U.S. states have passed laws prohibiting or criminalizing the types of healthcare this bill protects and are pursuing indictments against physicians and subpoenas of confidential medical and personal information, including of children. The U.S. Department of Justice has also issued subpoenas seeking private information.
The companion Assembly bill is set to receive a full floor vote next month, enabling passage out of the legislature and onward to Governor Sherrill’s desk. The groups will hold a rally on June 11 at the Statehouse in support of the bill’s passage and eventual signature by the governor. Register for the rally here.