New Jersey Assembly Committee Advances Bill Criminalizing Interference with Abortion and Transgender Healthcare

<p>A New Jersey Assembly committee advanced a bill on June 8, 2026, that would criminalize interference with access to transgender and reproductive health care. The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved the measure along party lines, allowing for a potential full vote in the Legislature later this week before it is sent to Governor Mikie Sherrill for her signature.</p><p>If enacted, New Jersey would become the first state to explicitly criminalize such interference. The legislation, first introduced in the summer of 2024, would create a new criminal offense for "interference with reproductive health services," including abortion procedures. It would also protect access to transgender healthcare for minors, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy.</p><p>The bill includes protections for individuals traveling to New Jersey from areas where abortion is restricted or illegal, as well as health care providers and facilities. Legal penalties would apply to alleged interference originating from outside the state.</p><p>Senator Teresa Ruiz, the bill's sponsor, stated, "This bill is to protect healthcare. Not a political debate. Not a culture war talking point. Healthcare." She emphasized that law enforcement would not enforce another state’s agenda.</p><p>Opponents, including Republican lawmakers, argued that the bill could infringe on free speech rights and parental rights, and could position New Jersey as a "sanctuary state" for certain providers. Gregory Quinlan, of the Center for Garden State Families, expressed concern that anti-abortion activists could face arrest for activities such as praying outside clinics.</p><p>Ruiz has maintained that the bill does not violate First Amendment rights. The legislation would also prevent medical entities and public officials from disclosing patient information without consent, enhancing privacy protections.</p><p>Under the proposal, it would be a fourth-degree crime to harass or block individuals from accessing or providing these services. Violators causing significant bodily injury could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $150,000. Additionally, the bill would allow for civil litigation and empower the state attorney general to seek injunctions and financial penalties against violators.</p>