Our journalism needs your support. Abortion Laws [1], In 2017, 48,110 abortions were provided in New Jersey, though not all abortions that occurred in New Jersey were provided to state residents: Some patients may have traveled from other states, and some New Jersey residents may have traveled to another state for an abortion. That principle should and must extend to any person in New Jersey regarding reproductive rights.. This is a day of celebration in New Jersey. Republicans arguments sparked fiery responses. WithRoe v. Wadeunder attack, todays historic legislation makes clear that New Jerseys position in supporting the right to reproductive choice remains protected. Many progressive groups and freedom of choice advocates had mixed reactions to the law. New Jersey New Jersey With Gov. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Ensuring coverage of these prescriptions for up to 12 months will allow more New Jerseyans to prepare ahead. Thus, the statute impinges upon the fundamental right of a woman to control her body and destiny. abortion 19-1392, 597 U.S. ___ (2022) later in 2022. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Gov. In 2017, 862,320 abortions were provided in clinical settings in the United States. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). We firmly believe everyone deserves the ability to make their own personal health choices when it comes to birth control, abortion and pregnancy-related care. [The law] excludes provisions from the original Reproductive Freedom Act that ensure all New Jerseyans, including our undocumented community members, individuals who lack insurance coverage, and individuals whose insurance does not cover the cost of abortion care and birth control can access the reproductive health services they need, Vice President of Public Affairs Kaitlyn Wojtowicz said. they began a series of peaceful pro-life protests, most Americans oppose late-term abortions, forcing taxpayers to pay an additional $9.5 million to the Planned Parenthood abortion chain, the board voted to repeal a rule requiring that abortions be performed by licensed physicians. On Thursday, Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said this was a historic day for New Jersey. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. But others said its a far cry from what they have been fighting for over the past few years a major expansion of reproductive rights in New Jersey. laws 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. We also know it will protect the health and well being of the people of our state while showing the country and the world New Jersey stands for compassion and freedom.. Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Legislators behind the effort have argued that its urgently needed to make sure there is a safety net in New Jersey in case federal abortion rights are overturned. [33] As long as the minor has obtained the required information such as risks, benefits, and alternatives, the minor may give informed consent to these services without parental consent. Does this bill have everything New Jersey needs? "This law, the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, will protect this basic freedom under New Jersey statute and ensure individual choice on when and whether to have children in a time and place that is compatible with their lifestyles and beliefs. Phil Murphy, surrounded by supporters, signs the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act in Teaneck on January 13, 2022. Dozens of supporters with pink Planned Parenthood signs, winter hats, and scarves. A pet project of pro-abortion Gov. Our journalism needs your support. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Brent Johnson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, preserves the legal right for women and girls, whether to uphold a Mississippi abortion ban, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. His agreement also included a provision that would make it possible for state regulators to remove 62-year-old Steven C. Brigham as co-founder of seven of those clinics. But all those clinics and others still operating could soon face new restrictions as a federal judge in Texas decides on a lawsuit filed by anti-abortion groups that directs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to withdraw its approval of mifepristone a widely used drug used in medication abortion thats been around for decades. The law makes no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape A pet project of pro-abortion Gov. Abortion in New Jersey - Wikipedia Abortion in New Jersey is legal at all stages of pregnancy. The Reproductive Freedom Act should be called the License to Kill Act. WebNow, New Jersey state lawmakers are pledging to introduce legislation that would enshrine the right to abortion and other reproductive health care for Garden State residents. [1] Of patients who had an abortion in 2014, one-third had to travel more than 25 miles one way to reach a facility. The law as signed does not require insurance companies to cover abortions outright. What happens to the troubled clinics? Alongside recently retired state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, a Bergen County Democrat and longtime abortion rights advocate, Murphy celebrated the move as the fulfillment of his campaign promise to protect a womans right to choose. [10][11]), In 1858, the New Jersey Supreme Court said of a woman, "Her guilt or innocence remains a common law. New Jersey does not have the restrictions on abortions that other states like Pennsylvania have. New Jersey Passes Bill To Protect Abortion Rights As Roe About 41,000 unborn babies are aborted every year in New Jersey,according to NJ Spotlight News; but the governors plan could mean even more unnecessary killings. These laws would be addressed in court during the 1800s as they related to application in prosecutions of women for having abortions. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. What does it mean? They also decried the swiftness with which the bill passed the Legislature, just four days after its introduction. According to the ACLU-NJ, the law will protect abortion rights by expanding existing state constitutional legal protections recognized by the New Jersey Supreme Court. WebThe bills, A3974 and A3975, shield health care providers from other states inquiries and prohibit the extradition of any person who comes to New Jersey seeking legal abortion [1] Monmouth Memorial Hospital's Dr. Robert A. MacKenzie said of this process, "No physician is going to ask the Committee to consider a case which he has not carefully studied, nor about which he does not feel strongly. The Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act was a significant victory for abortion advocates, who fought against abortion restrictions in the Garden State. The group argues the proposal is a political stunt to help Murphys reelection chances next year. Murphy also signed legislation to expand contraception coverage under private insurance and Medicaid.. At a press briefing Murphy said the Texas ban, which took effect after the Supreme Court took no action to block it, creates an urgency for New Jersey legislators to pass statutes to protect abortion rights sooner rather than later., Reproductive freedom in our state is built on case law, and all of that case law is in turn built on the Supreme Courts decision in Roe v. Wade, Murphy said. State funding through Medicaid was available for poor women needing abortions, with 10,277 state funded abortions in 2010. Weinberg received a standing ovation at the event. As much as today is a declaration of our unyielding commitment to the women of our state, we also know it is another day in our ongoing fight to protect the progress we have made. We urge our states leaders, through legislation and regulatory action, to not only affirm reproductive freedom, but make it truly accessible by lifting financial barriers to ensure we do not leave any communities behind.. [8] In 2014, there were 79 facilities that provided abortions of which 41 were abortion clinics. Sophie Nieto-Muoz, a New Jersey native and former Trenton statehouse reporter for NJ.com, shined a spotlight on the states crumbling unemployment system and won several awards for investigative reporting from the New Jersey Press Association. ", Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey applauds the strong declaration of reproductive rights in S49/A6260, as well as the expansion of birth control access through S413/A4698,saidKaitlyn Wojtowicz,Vice President of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. With this legislation, ifRoe v. Wadewere overturned, the right to reproductive choice would be protected in New Jersey. With the enactment of S49 into law, the Legislature and the Governor are sending a clear message to the nation that in New Jersey, a womans right to choose is, and will remain, a fundamental right, said former Senate President Steve Sweeney, a prime sponsor of the bill. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Contact New Jersey senators and assembly members. [2], In September 2018, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker released documents related to Brett Kavanaugh's position on abortion when Kavanaugh was serving as a staff member in President George W. Bush's White House. The Reproductive Freedom Act will remove barriers to reproductive health, as well as expand access to contraception while reaffirming choice. Heres what the law means for residents of New Jersey. Governor Murphy also signed S413/A4698, which expands the contraception coverage required under private insurance and Medicaid from a 6-month supply to a 12-month supply. Medicaid covers abortion. Today, we are codifying those rights into law in New Jersey, said Lt. Under the new law, the fundamental right of reproductive autonomy is guaranteed in the state. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Phil Murphy, the bill (S3030/A4848) would legalize the killing of unborn babies for basically any reason up to birth. They also listened to womens testimonies and sang Christmas carols. Enacting the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act into statute will help protect the reproductive rights of women in New Jersey against the potential reversal by the United States Supreme Court. Abortion Laws The law makes no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest and allows citizens to sue abortion providers and anyone who helps a woman get an abortion, including anyone who helps pay for it or drives a woman to a clinic. New Jersey The State of NJ site may contain optional links, information, services and/or content from other websites operated by third parties that are provided as a convenience, such as Google Translate. [7] As of March 2019, New Jersey remained one of the few states in the country that lacked mandatory consent for minors to get an abortion, either through parental notification or judicial bypass. But this legislation will require all New Jersey taxpayers to pay for the abortions of sex trafficking victims, said the Rev. New Jersey Abortion Laws - FindLaw I was proud to join Senator Weinberg in fighting to ensure that the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act would become law.. To Murphy, she added, You set the stage and you have never failed us.. Murphy in his remarks called himself a devout Catholic and said his own journey and evolution of this issue has not been easy, adding he has trust for others, especially for those with limited means for whom restrictions on access to reproductive health care has the most devastating effect., A few pro-life protestors shouted during the signing ceremony, and held signs reading Babys lives matter.During her remarks, Planned Parenthood CEO Alexic McGill Johnson said the small minority is loud, but we are louder, we are stronger, and we are just as relentless., by Sophie Nieto-Munoz, New Jersey Monitor January 13, 2022. [1], In 2017, there were 1,587 facilities providing abortion in the United States, representing a 5% decrease from the 1,671 facilities in 2014. Gov. These numbers represent no change in clinics from 2014, when there were 79 abortion-providing facilities overall, of which 41 were clinics. In light of ongoing attacks on reproductive rights across the country, codifying a declaration of strong, unwavering rights is crucial. January 22ndis the 49thanniversary ofRoe v. Wade. They cited the anticipated cost to taxpayers, although a fiscal analysis of the bills impact was never circulated. The work is far from over, and we look forward to continuing our advocacy alongside Governor Murphy to ensure that every New Jerseyan can access the reproductive health care they need., "If we are to achieve equality of the sexes, we must trust women and allow them to control their reproductive cycles without governmental interference,said Anjali Mehrotra, President, National Organization for Women of New Jersey. The new law (S49) also authorizes the state Department of Banking and Insurance to study whether the cost of an abortion is an impediment to low-income and uninsured women getting one. Womens rights are human rights and will always be respected and protected in New Jersey., Today is a historic day for reproductive health in the Garden State,said Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Assemblywoman Aura Dunn said she was worried that the bill lacked any kinship notification and would leave young girls alone during a most traumatic event., Seven states, including Delaware and Massachusetts, permit a minor to obtain an abortion if a grandparent or other adult relative is notified of this medical decision, Dunn said. Republicans also criticized the Democrats last-minute maneuver to introduce a less ambitious bill just a week ago and passing it out of committee minutes after later. [22] In 1990, 1,042,000 women in the state faced the risk of an unintended pregnancy. Phil Murphy announced his support for a bill to expand reproductive health care rights in New Jersey. The case arose from a challenge to a law that prohibited the state Medicaid program from paying for an abortion unless the pregnancy threatened the mothers life. State Senate and Assembly committees are considering it this month. New Jersey Right to Life quickly announced its opposition to the proposal. New Jersey pro-lifers gathered in the cold Saturday to protest a radical pro-abortion bill that would legalize the killing of unborn babies up to birth and force taxpayers to pay for their deaths. The abortion rights bill Murphy signed is less ambitious than the Reproductive Freedom Act, the legislation former state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, both Bergen County Democrats, introduced after President Donald Trump, a Republican, appointed Amy Coney Barrett to replace U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in September 2020. Phil Murphy, after signing legislation codifying abortion rights in NJ. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. (Courtesy of New Jersey Governor's Office). From 2018 to 2019, abortion rates decreased or did not change among women aged 24 years; however, the abortion rate increased among those aged 25 years. Under Murphys administration, the NJ Board of Medical Examiners also voted to weaken safety standards for abortion earlier this fall. New Jersey has always stood up for a womans right to choose, said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen. However, since 2010, the U.S. abortion landscape has grown increasingly restrictive as more states adopt laws hostile to abortion rights. "[1], In March 2015, New Jersey Governor and US Republican presidential primary candidate Chris Christie issued a statement tothe Susan B. Anthony List that said he supported a 20-week abortion ban . of abortions among women aged 1519, by state of residence, 2013 by racial group", "Views about abortion by state - Religion in America: U.S. Governor Sheila Oliver. And, no matter the obstacles, we will only move forward, the First Lady said. Phil Murphy signs the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act outside the Teaneck Public Library on Thursday. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists says A human fetus does not have the capacity to experience pain until after viability, and that is 24 weeks, at least. There was a a 9% increase in the abortion rate in New Jersey between 2014 and 2017, from 25.8 to 28.0 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age. To the men speaking out against a womans right to decide their own futures, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, D-Hudson said moments before the vote: Until you have a vagina, you have nothing to say.. Even more distressing is that the legal and ethical calculus that underlies this new legislation absolutely and forthrightly extinguishes the human and moral identity of the unborn child. [3], With states like Alabama and Georgia passing restrictive abortion laws in early 2019, some businesses announced they would boycott these states. But socially conservative Democratic men in both houses of the state Legislature privately refused to support the bill, saying they did not want to make it too easy to get an abortion. This bill and the rhetoric weve heard from the other side is: any abortion, at any time, for any reason, on any one, paid for by the taxpayer., Assemblyman Antwan McClellan There is a troubling disparity with African Americans and white Americans as far as abortion is concerned. As we have said throughout our advocacy, to exercise ones right to abortion, contraceptives and carrying a pregnancy to term, one must be able to actually access the full range of health care.. STATE OF NEW JERSEY Phil Murphy signed a bill Thursday codifying the right to an abortion into state law, a move abortion rights advocates say is necessary as the U.S. Supreme Court has signaled it may overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision later this year. Published: Oct. 02, 2020, 8:51 p.m. and abortion access in America. Scam alert: arrest warrant calls are fake, sheriff's office says. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Access to comprehensive reproductive health care allows women to plan out their lives, enabling them to pursue education and career opportunities, which leads to increased workforce attachment and wages over time. We appreciate the efforts of the legislature and the Governor to pass this historic legislation and we call on these representatives to do more to eliminate the remaining barriers which fall hardest on people working to make ends meet, people living in rural areas, undocumented people, and LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities disproportionately impacted by systemic racism and reproductive oppression., Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency. We are deeply grateful to Governor Murphy, his staff, and legislators --particularly Senator Loretta Weinberg-- for their tenacity in the negotiations. On Friday, Gov. With reproductive autonomy and rights on the line in the U.S. Supreme Court, New Jersey just sent a clear message to the country that our state values the protection of abortion rights, said Sheila Reynertson, a senior policy analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective. [32], Governor Chris Christie said in March 2015, "When I was preparing to run for Governor of New Jersey there were those who told me there was no way I would be elected as a pro-life candidate. The 2020 abortion rate across the entire United States was 14.4. Phil Murphy. 2. This legislation is critical to protecting residents of our state from infringements on their reproductive rights, regardless of what happens at the federal level. I want to thank the legislators who have championed this bill and Governor Murphy for signing it into law. by Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor September 1, 2021. [6] In early 2018, State Sen. Jeff Van Drew quietly withdrew his sponsorship of a bill that supported parental consent before a minor could request an abortion in New Jersey. As access to health care and the right to choose are under attack at the federal level, we will support, defend, and protect reproductive rights here in New Jersey, Murphy said. WebThe Guttmacher Institute estimates that the 2020 abortion rate for New Jersey was 29.2. Weinberg resigned last week and Vainieri Huttle lost a primary election for her seat against district-mate, now-state Sen. Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen. WebDenver Newsroom, Jan 10, 2022 / 15:23 pm. WebAbortion Reporting: New Jersey (2020) - Lozier Institute Charlotte Lozier Institute Get Notifications Research & Data Research & Data Latest Research Abortion Fetal I would like to have this bill amended to include a study. Self-determination is one of the founding principles of this state and this nation. Gov. That right encompasses one of the most intimate decisions in human experience, the choice to terminate a pregnancy or bear a child. [19][20], According to a report published in 2022 by The Covid State Project, legal elective abortion in New Jersey holds support but much weaker support at the later the ages of the fetus. Reproductive health and the ability for women to make medical decisions about their own bodies are fundamental rights that should never be taken away, Oliver said. These laws expand and protect reproductive freedom in New Jersey at a time when the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to limit or overturn the ruling in Roe v. Wade. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill Thursday guaranteeing abortion rights in the state. ACTION ALERT: Contact New Jersey senators and assembly members. Its no surprise that those who cannot access this time-sensitive care are more likely to live in poverty, raise children alone, and struggle to afford basic needs. Web18 b. No, but it represents an important and essential foundation we can build on. New Jersey lawmakers pass last-minute expansion of abortion [10][11], Between 1982 and 1992, the number of abortion clinics in the state decreased by twelve, going from 100 in 1982 to 88 in 1992. After anear-total abortion banwent into effect in Texas Wednesday, alarming abortion rights advocates who fear the Texas law foreshadows a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Gov. She was a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists for her report on PetSmart's grooming practices, which was also recognized by the New York Press Club. They asked to consider scientific opinions that suggest a fetus has the capacity to feel pain at 20 weeks. New Jersey's Governor Is Backing Law To Expand Abortion Rights : Among other things,the board voted to repeal a rule requiring that abortions be performed by licensed physicians. That year, 23% of women in the state aged 1544 lived in a county without an abortion clinic. In New Jersey, we trust each individual person to make their reproductive choices for themselves, Murphy said at a news conference on Thursday. Marie Tasy, executive director of New Jersey Right to Life, slammed the bill as disgraceful because it would eliminate language allowing prosecution for infanticide. The Democratic lawmakers wrote: Everyone has the right to reproductive choice, yet there have been far too many attempts throughout our country to control the decisions a person can make in that regard. So if the foundation of that series of case laws is impacted, impaired, taken away, the entire reality in our state falls like a house of cards, which is why we need to, as soon as possible, put this protection into statute.. New Jersey has guaranteed residents will retain the right to an abortion regardless of whether the U.S. Supreme Court rolls back reproductive rights. attended the outdoor bill-signing ceremony. The New Jersey state legislature gave final approval to a bill yesterday that will legalize killing babies in abortions up to birth. We thank Governor Murphy and the bill sponsors for taking a stand in support of reproductive autonomy, and we look forward to working with the administration on ways to improve access to abortion care for all., BlueWaveNJcelebrates New Jerseys passage of the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act,said Marcia Marley, President of BlueWave. The New Jersey Supreme Court has found that the right to 19 reproductive choice includes the right to determine whether and when 20 to bear children. The user is on notice that neither the State of NJ site nor its operators review any of the services, information and/or content from anything that may be linked to the State of NJ site for any reason. According to Murphys announcement, the bill will explicitly state that all New Jerseyans have the right to make their own decisions when in comes to abortion, birth control and pregnancy-related care. With a womans right to choose under Roe v. Wade under attack in the U.S. Supreme Court, it is critical that we have enacted legislation rooted in the New Jersey Constitution that clearly and unequivocally protects freedom of reproductive choice, including the right to access contraception, the right to terminate a pregnancy, and the right to carry a pregnancy to term, Weinberg said. The broader measure also would have required insurers to cover contraceptives, and increased the number of health care professionals who can terminate pregnancies. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said that these boycotts would likely mean two tech companies would not base themselves in the city. WebGuns are displayed at Shore Shot Pistol Range gun shop in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, U.S. March 19, 2020. Its a human traffickers best friend. The law, which prevents employers from firing employees who support New Jersey Abortion Statistics | Abort73.com Some said it is a crucial step forward, especially at a time when the future of Roe v. Wade is so uncertain. But it doesnt go far enough, advocates say. Currently, there are no required waiting times and parental consent is not necessary. Speaking in Teneack Thursday, Weinberg recalled the first bill Murphy signed when he came into office four years ago, one that allocated $7.5 million to womens access to health care.. Progressive groups like the ACLU-New Jersey, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey and New Jersey Policy Perspective at first criticized the scaled-back bill, saying it fell short of meeting the reproductive health needs for low-income women. The current health crisis has reinforced just how important it is to make sure everyone can get the care they need, including reproductive health care, no matter what, Wojtowicz said. Now more than ever, the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act is crucial. With the majority of the members of the nations highest court politically conservative, many believe when the court decides this year whether to uphold a Mississippi abortion ban after 15 weeks that it is likely to overturn Roe, the 1973 decision that recognized a womans right to privacy to have an abortion.