Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package
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The New Jersey Catholic Conference is deeply saddened by the introduction of the “Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity” legislative package, which was introduced in the New Jersey Legislature on June 24, 2024 (the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade). The nine-bill package includes legislation that further advances abortion access in New Jersey in various manners from establishment of a Reproductive Healthcare access fund to allowing individuals to donate a portion of their annual state gross income tax return to reproductive healthcare services. Click on the bill number in the chart below to learn more about the bills.
At a time in our society when issues regarding life are too often dismissed as a matter of faith and not objective universal truth, it is the responsibility of every Catholic and all people of good will to look beyond partisan politics to oppose threats to the dignity of life, and work together to seek life-affirming solutions to obstacles and challenges that force mothers to consider having an abortion.
Let our united charitable works to help mothers and their children be the strongest sign of opposition to these efforts.
The Catholic Church remains committed to standing up for life not only in word, but in our actions. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, we pray that we remain committed to creating a culture of life in our homes and communities.
The New Jersey Catholic Conference is actively monitoring this legislation and will post updates as they become available. -
Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package
Bill Number Synopsis S3452/A4601 Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for reproductive health care services; prohibits adverse actions by medical malpractice insurers in relation to performance of health care services S3490/A4655 Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities. S3491/A4656 Secures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing legally protected health care activities; establishes right of residents to legally protected health care services, which are restricted in other states. S3492/A4657 Creates “Reproductive Health Care Access Fund” to strengthen access to reproductive health care; makes appropriation. S3493/A4658 Requires affirmative written consent for certain entities to disclose individual’s medical information regarding reproductive health care services, with limited exceptions, unless disclosure is necessary to provide those services. S3494/A4659 Requires four-year public institution of higher education to develop and implement reproductive health services plan; requires county college to develop referral network for reproductive health care services. S3495/A4660 Establishes Reproductive Health Care Professionals Loan Redemption Program; appropriates $5 million. S3496/A4661 Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support reproductive health care services. S1513/4662 Requires Medicaid cover emergency contraception without requiring prescription or other authorization.