On Monday, June 17, 2024, New Jersey Senate Democrats introduced S3452, legislation aimed at expanding abortion access in the state. The Senate Commerce Committee has yet to schedule a hearing for S3452; however, the bill's sponsors have indicated their intention to expedite the process before the end of June.

If enacted, S3452 would:

- Enshrine into state law regulations from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance that eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for abortions by mandating all state-regulated health plans cover 100% of the procedure. This could potentially increase consumers' health insurance premiums and allocate an undetermined amount of public funding for abortions for Medicaid patients.

- Enshrine into state law regulations from the Board of Medical Examiners granting non-physicians permission to perform abortions.

- Prohibit malpractice insurance providers from penalizing medical professionals for providing abortions or gender-affirming care on the basis that these procedures are illegal in other states.

Supporters argue that this legislation is a significant step forward in protecting and expanding healthcare rights in New Jersey. They assert it is necessary because abortion rights are under attack.

"For centuries, the Catholic church has not only been an advocate for quality, affordable, and life-affirming healthcare; we have been a leading provider, especially to the poor and marginalized," stated a representative from the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC). "Based on our experience, we can say with full confidence that abortion is not healthcare because it is a direct attack on the dignity and sacredness of human life."

The NJCC contends that unlike other states, New Jersey already has no major restrictions on abortions such as waiting periods, mandated parental notifications, or limitations on public funding to subsidize these procedures.

For these reasons, NJCC strongly opposes S3452 and urges Catholics and people of goodwill to join them in preventing its passage. "If your State Senator serves on the Senate Commerce Committee that will determine if S3452 will advance in the Legislature," NJCC advises constituents to "contact her/him now and ask them to vote 'NO' on this harmful bill."

NJCC also encourages those whose state senators are not on the committee to urge their colleagues who are members of the committee to vote against advancing S3452.

Sources:

https://www.njcatholic.org/faith-in-action

https://www.njcatholic.org/s3452abortionaccesslegislation