New Jersey Senate Bill S3157

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/9/24
• Refer: 5/9/24

Caption

Protects access to assisted reproductive technology.

Impact

The bill impacts state laws by amending the existing legislation, P.L.2021, c.375, to explicitly incorporate ART as a protected choice under New Jersey's constitutional guarantees of reproductive freedoms. This change affirms the state's commitment to safeguarding individuals against potential legal restrictions that could arise in the wake of shifting judicial interpretations regarding reproductive rights, particularly in light of recent court decisions in other states that may challenge these rights.

Summary

Senate Bill S3157, introduced in New Jersey, aims to enhance reproductive rights by providing individuals the fundamental right to choose whether to utilize assisted reproductive technology (ART). This bill expands existing laws that grant rights related to contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy choices, recognizing ART as an integral part of reproductive healthcare. It specifically includes in vitro fertilization (IVF) within these rights, ensuring that individuals have the autonomy to make informed choices about their reproductive health without state interference.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding S3157 arises from its response to the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling in LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, which categorized embryos as 'extrauterine children' under wrongful death statutes. This ruling raises the specter of increased legal liabilities for those involved in ART, which advocates argue could deter access to IVF and similar technologies. Proponents of S3157 argue that such legislation is essential to prevent any legal frameworks from infringing upon reproductive choices in New Jersey, countering the trend seen in other jurisdictions that threaten these rights.