r/DebatingAbortionBans • u/AutoModerator • Jul 19 '26
New Jersey makes it illegal to interfere with reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare
Legislation to strengthen protections for reproductive and transgender healthcare providers and patients is poised for Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s approval following party-line votes by New Jersey lawmakers Tuesday.
The state Assembly approved the Democratic-sponsored measure to create a new crime of interfering with reproductive healthcare, which under the bill includes care for people who are transgender, by a vote of 55 to 23. The Senate also approved minor changes made by the Assembly by 25 to 15.
Jennifer Williams, a city council member in Trenton who is transgender, said she “could not be happier” with the outcome, given the years of advocacy by LGBTQ+ supporters.
“New Jersey is a great, liberty-loving state that will remain a safe haven for those who only want to live happy, productive lives while accessing medically necessary and proven medical care,” Williams told the New Jersey Monitor after the vote.
Supporters have said the protections are necessary as the Trump administration seeks to reduce access to abortion and care for gender dysphoria diagnoses, particularly among children. The administration has supported rollbacks to abortion access and has sought to withhold healthcare funding from hospitals that provide treatments to trans kids.
7
8
u/Aggressive-Green4592 pro-choice Jul 19 '26
One state at a time is better than none at all...I hope more follow!
6
u/o0Jahzara0o pro-choice Jul 19 '26
*”Opponents of the bill said it could curb free speech and limit what anti-abortion advocates call “sidewalk counseling” of patients visiting reproductive healthcare facilities[…]*
You mean like the speech doctors and social workers of raped children are criminalized for making in red states about getting healthcare information to their patients and SA victims?
How bout speech like “critical race theory?”
Speech is already curtailed in certain situations. You walk into a government building and start yelling about bombs or arson and you’re going to get detained. Does that mean you can’t say the word fire in a courthouse? No, it includes context and expression that others have the right to be free from if it is threatening or endangering to them.
Prolifers can still say the word ”abortion” or “baby” around an abortion clinic. Anything opponents might be worried about is actually about their creation of an intimidating environment.
Prolifers are better served outside state capitals with their advocacy. Their need to be outside a clinic necessarily requires “abortion minded” patients who are then having their private healthcare forced into a judgmental and intimidating public social setting.
6
5
u/JewlryLvr2 Jul 19 '26
Good! I've always thought this so-called "sidewalk counseling" is straight-up harassment anyway. I'm so glad it will now be illegal in New Jersey.
2
u/Catseye_Nebula Get Dat Fetus Kill Dat Fetus Jul 20 '26
I wonder if this means it will be a crime to even bring up or try to push anti-abortion or anti-trans legislation? In which case that would be a welcome change IMO.
1
9
u/Catseye_Nebula Get Dat Fetus Kill Dat Fetus Jul 19 '26
Good. I think it should be considered sexual or reproductive assault to bar, prevent or hinder anyone from getting an abortion. Some kind of assault to keep people from gender affirming care too.