In an effort to protect its residents, New Jersey has introduced a bill that will issue advisories for pregnant women traveling out of state. Proposed by Senator John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), the bill aims to inform pregnant persons about the potential legal and healthcare risks they may face traveling outside of their home state. Burzichelli explains, “People should be able to protect their health and safety by making informed decisions before traveling to states that restrict access to reproductive medical care. They don’t want to be in a place where they are denied vital treatment in a time of need.”
This proposed legislation extends New Jersey’s commitment to protecting and ensuring the reproductive rights of its residents. In January 2022, Governor Phil Murphy proactively added the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act to the state’s constitution, just five months before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. With its newly proposed travel advisory bill, The Garden State aims to strengthen its role as a haven for reproductive rights, providing guidance and protection to pregnant individuals navigating restrictive laws across the country.
The bill would create a Reproductive Travel Advisory that provides information on required waiting periods, criminal and civil liabilities for patients and doctors, restricted medications and procedures, and health insurance prohibitions. The proposed registry would be color-coded; states with accessible reproductive care would be blue, while yellow would indicate states where abortion can trigger criminal and legal action, prompting travelers to proceed with caution. States that would turn patients away in emergencies will be coded red.
If passed, the bill would mark another significant step in New Jersey’s proactive approach to reproductive rights, empowering residents with the knowledge they need to protect their health and bodily autonomy. Burzichelli emphasized, “We can’t change the laws in other states, but we can give our residents the information they need to make informed decisions before they travel.”
SOURCES