Khadijah M. Silver (they/them), civil rights attorney and Director of Gender Justice & Health Equity at Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), issued the following statement in response to the passage of S2260/A2218 at the New Jersey state legislature:
“The State of New Jersey has handed transgender and reproductive healthcare providers a massive victory with the passage of S2260/A2218. As other states and the federal government escalate efforts to criminalize and regulate legal healthcare beyond their borders, New Jersey has taken a critical step to protect patients, providers, and its own authority to govern the healthcare of its residents.
“This bill is a firewall against outside interference. New Jersey is drawing a clear line, requiring health care providers in this state answer only to the laws that already govern them — not to hostile actors in other states trying to reach across its borders.
“As attacks on bodily autonomy increasingly ignore state lines, shield laws are becoming essential legal infrastructure for protecting patients and providers alike. The question is no longer whether states will need shield laws, but how quickly they can build them in the face of eroding federal protections and interstate conflict over healthcare.
“Thank you to Senate Majority Leader Ruiz, Senate President Scutari, Assemblywoman Speight, Assemblywoman Peterpaul, and all of the bill’s sponsors for their tireless advocacy and leadership. We’re also deeply grateful to our partners in this fight including, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, Transgender Rights Coalition of New Jersey, Garden State Equality, American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, and the many other organizations and individuals who made today possible.
“We urge Governor Sherrill to sign this bill into law without delay.”
Members of Lawyers for Good Government’s Gender Justice & Health Equity Team are available to discuss the legislation, its legal implications, and what New Jersey’s action could mean for other states considering similar protections. To speak with one of our legal experts, please contact Jordan Wilhelmi at jordan@unbendablemedia.com.