Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a substitute bill that establishes protections for individuals receiving or providing reproductive health care services, including abortions.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a medical board from revoking or refusing a medical license or certificate, or preventing a person from entering an examination, because said person authorized, participated in, referred for, or assisted any health care procedure related to an abortion for a person who resides somewhere where such actions are illegal (Sec. 3, Pg. 5).

• Authorizes a medical board make the above limitations as a result of fraud, negligence, malpractice, incompetence, criminal conviction, professional or occupational misconduct, medical barriers, drug use, illegal activity, and/or dangerous misconduct (Sec. 3, Pgs. 4 & 5).

• Prohibits a covered entity from disclosing without consent any communication, personal examination information, or other information related to reproductive health care services in a civil action, preliminary proceeding, or probate, legislative, or administrative proceeding (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Requires covered entities to inform patients or their legal representative or guardian of their right to withhold consent for the above disclosure (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Specifies that consent is not necessary for the disclosure of information to an accused entity’s attorney or to the relevant commissioners and boards, or as a result of abuse (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Prohibits a public entity or representative from providing information or assisting in an interstate investigation related to reproductive health care services (Sec. 2, Pg. 3).

• Specifies that the above provision does not apply when the investigation is for conduct liable under State law or when the inquiry is from a court with jurisdiction over the public entity (Sec. 2, Pg. 3).

• Specifies that this act takes effect immediately (Sec. 4, Pg. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes protections for individuals receiving or providing reproductive health care services, including abortions.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a medical board from revoking or refusing a medical license or certificate, or preventing a person from entering an examination, because said person authorized, participated in, referred for, or assisted any health care procedure related to an abortion for a person who resides somewhere where such actions are illegal (Sec. 3, Pg. 5).

• Authorizes a medical board make the above limitations as a result of fraud, negligence, malpractice, incompetence, criminal conviction, professional or occupational misconduct, medical barriers, drug use, illegal activity, and/or dangerous misconduct (Sec. 3, Pgs. 4 & 5).

• Prohibits a covered entity from disclosing without consent any communication, personal examination information, or other information related to reproductive health care services in a civil action, preliminary proceeding, or probate, legislative, or administrative proceeding (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Requires covered entities to inform patients or their legal representative or guardian of their right to withhold consent for the above disclosure (Sec. 1, Pg. 2).

• Specifies that consent is not necessary for the disclosure of information to an accused entity’s attorney or to the relevant commissioners and boards, or as a result of abuse (Sec. 1, Pg. 3).

• Prohibits a public entity or representative from providing information or assisting in an interstate investigation related to reproductive health care services (Sec. 2, Pg. 3).

• Specifies that the above provision does not apply when the investigation is for conduct liable under State law or when the inquiry is from a court with jurisdiction over the public entity (Sec. 2, Pg. 3).

• Specifies that this act takes effect immediately (Sec. 4, Pg. 6).

Full Bill Text