Gov. Sherrill signs law expanding protections for reproductive, gender-affirming health care in New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday signed legislation strengthening protections for patients seeking and health care professionals providing reproductive health care in New Jersey while expanding the state’s shield law to include gender-affirming care.

The legislation, S2260/A2218, is intended to protect patients and providers from certain out-of-state investigations and legal actions involving care that is legal in New Jersey. The law takes effect immediately.

“We have seen attacks from the Trump Administration and other states on access to reproductive and gender affirming healthcare, and attempts to impose restrictions across state borders. Here in New Jersey, we are standing firm in defense of reproductive freedoms – including the right to choose and the right to receive gender-affirming care,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “No one should fear intimidation or violence for seeking healthcare, and no healthcare professional should fear punishment from another state for providing care that is legal in New Jersey. With this legislation, we are making clear that New Jersey will protect patients, providers, and the fundamental freedom to make personal healthcare decisions.”

Under the new law, injuring, threatening, intimidating or physically blocking patients or providers in an effort to interfere with reproductive health care services can constitute a crime. The law also prohibits damaging property for that purpose.

Patients and providers will be able to pursue legal action against people who interfere with access to or delivery of protected care. The legislation also protects health care professionals from certain professional penalties or adverse medical malpractice insurance actions for providing reproductive health care that is legal in New Jersey.

The measure expands New Jersey’s existing shield law by expressly including gender-affirming care within the definition of protected reproductive health care services.

Those protections include restrictions on the disclosure of patient information without prior authorization as provided by law and limits on state entities assisting certain out-of-state investigations or proceedings seeking to impose liability for providing or receiving protected care.

Licensing boards are also prohibited from taking action against a provider solely for providing protected reproductive health care.

“New Jersey is committed to protecting bodily autonomy and access to medical care for all,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “This law ensures that anyone seeking or providing reproductive or gender-affirming health services in our state can do so without fear of harassment or punishment.”

New Jersey Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington said protecting patients and providers is important to ensuring access to care.

“For healthcare to be effective, it must feel safe. That means protecting patients and protecting the providers who care for them,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington. “New Jersey will not stand by when proven, effective healthcare is politicized, demonized, or undermined. People deserve the freedom to access and provide evidence-based medical care without fear of intimidation or persecution.”

The Sherrill administration said the legislation builds on other state efforts involving reproductive health care, including the state’s Reproductive Health Information Hub and more than $52 million included in the fiscal year 2027 budget for family planning services and reproductive health access.

Sponsors include Senate President Nick Scutari, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and Assemblymembers Shanique Speight, Ellen Park, Annette Quijano and Luanne Peterpaul.

“New Jerseyans receiving or providing reproductive care should feel confident that when they enter an exam room in our state, they are fully protected under the law,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “By shielding patients and doctors from efforts to undermine their bodily autonomy and medical expertise, we are strengthening New Jersey’s commitment to accessible, safe, and evidence-based reproductive health care services.”

Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin said the measure strengthens protections already in place.

“Through our work in the Legislature we have made it abundantly clear that in New Jersey health care decisions belong to patients and their families and I commend each of the sponsors for their hard work and thoughtful leadership,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “As others make cruel attempts to walk back or challenge the kinds of care that every patient deserves, we in New Jersey, continue to stand up for the freedom and dignity that allows people to make the decisions that are right for them. This law strengthens the protections we have on the books here to make sure that people who seek lawful care can do so without the fear and without intimidation or interference.”

Ruiz said the measure follows two years of advocacy.

“Amid efforts across the country to restrict reproductive and gender-affirming care, today’s signing of this shield law marks the culmination of two years of relentless advocacy and courage. Often in the face of fear and uncertainty, parents, medical professionals, and patients of all ages bravely shared their experiences to remind New Jersey of the humanity at the heart of this law — that no matter our differences, everyone deserves access to the care they need without harassment, and no doctor should face punishment for providing lawful treatment,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “These are deeply personal decisions that should be made privately — not criminalized, politicized, or reduced to a culture-war talking point. Every person deserves control over their own body, and I thank Governor Sherrill for being an ally in the fight to advance health equity, defend individual liberties, and protect the freedom to seek and provide care without fear.”

“Health care decisions belong to patients and their providers,” said Assemblywoman Shanique Speight. “By establishing safeguards for those involved in the provision of reproductive health care services, this reinforces New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring access to essential care and preventing barriers that can disrupt the delivery of legally protected health services. Every individual should be able to engage in the delivery of reproductive health care without fear, delay, or intimidation.”

“Today, New Jersey chose dignity over fear, compassion over cruelty. Today, New Jersey chose to protect its people,” said Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul.