SENATOR GILL PROTECTING NEW JERSEY FROM OUT-OF-STATE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

MONTCLAIR – On May 4th, I introduced legislation to ensure all New Jerseyans and
those who receive treatment in our state have complete legal protection when engaging in
their right to reproductive care. New Jersey must act now to protect these rights.

The First Bill: Prohibits extradition of an individual to another state if conduct relates to
reproductive health services and is legal in New Jersey. Under this bill, the governor cannot
extradite a person who receives legal reproductive services in New Jersey that another
state criminalizes.

The Second Bill: Authorizes certain countersuits concerning liability for providing
reproductive health care services permitted under State law; clarifies access to these
services in New Jersey by out-of-State persons.

This bill: Allows a person who helped someone obtain reproductive care to sue for
reimbursement, attorney fees, costs, and other expenses related to a lawsuit brought under
laws from other states; Prohibits the enforcement of certain subpoenas related to receiving reproductive care; Guarantees medical privacy by preventing the disclosure of medical records on
reproductive health care; and Restricts public entities from cooperation with investigations or proceedings against any legal reproductive care in New Jersey under this bill.

For example, laws such as the Texas abortion ban provide a “bounty” of $10,000 if
an individual brings a successful lawsuit against a provider or anyone who helps a patient
obtain an abortion, including out-of-state persons. Missouri has introduced legislation
allowing private citizens to sue anyone who performs an abortion or helps a pregnant
person get one, even if the procedure is outside Missouri.

Our state has a duty to defend those engaging in their reproductive rights under the
New Jersey Constitution from punitive out-of-state restrictions on their freedoms, and we
will. We cannot wait until the lawsuits are filed to provide these critical protections.