NJ bill would launch reproductive health travel advisory for pregnant residents
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey lawmakers have advanced legislation that would establish a statewide advisory to inform residents about the reproductive healthcare laws of other U.S. states, with a focus on restrictions that may affect pregnant individuals traveling across state lines.
The Assembly Community Development and Women’s Affairs Committee reported favorably on Assembly Bill 4915 on March 20. The bill directs the Department of State to create the “New Jersey Reproductive Health Travel Advisory,” a public resource detailing the level of access to reproductive healthcare—including abortion and emergency services—in each U.S. state.
According to the bill, the advisory would be tiered into three risk categories: “Blue” for states where full reproductive care is legally protected, “Yellow” for states with limited access and potential legal risks, and “Red” for states where care is highly restricted, legal consequences are possible, and patients may be denied emergency treatment.
“Families are fleeing NJ, but Democrats want your tax dollars to fund a travel advisory—not for crime or sinkholes—but to target states that don’t offer free, taxpayer-funded abortion up to the moment of delivery. This bill is absurd,” said Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia.
Key Points
- NJ Department of State would create an online advisory on state-by-state reproductive care laws
- Travel advisory uses a blue-yellow-red tier system to rate risk for pregnant individuals
- Identical bill S3663 has also advanced in the Senate
The advisory would address factors including gestational limits, waiting periods, insurance coverage bans, medication restrictions, and the potential for criminal or civil liability faced by patients and providers. The Department of State would be required to maintain and update the advisory whenever any relevant legal changes occur in another state.
The bill cites concerns about medical emergencies during pregnancy, noting that some terminations may be medically necessary. In states with restrictive abortion laws, the availability of such emergency care remains unclear.
Assembly Bill 4915 is identical to Senate Bill 3663, which was reported by the same committee on the same date.