A 2218 — Secures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing reproductive health care services; establishes right of residents to reproductive health care activity that is restricted in other states.*

A2218 1R2R ACS [First[Second Reprint]   ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR ASSEMBLY, No.

Assemblyman Venezia, Assemblywomen Drulis, Donlon, Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblymen Sampson, Freiman, DeAngelo, Danielsen, Verrelli, Assemblywoman McCoy, Assemblyman Singh, Assemblywomen Bagolie, Haider, Assemblyman Moen, Assemblywomen Collazos-Gill, Swain, Tucker, Assemblymen G.Rodriguez, Spearman, Assemblywomen Kane, Pintor Marin, Morales, Assemblymen Greenwald, Calabrese, Stanley, Assemblywoman Murphy, Assemblyman Bailey, Assemblywoman Simmons, Assemblymen Kennedy, Bhalla, Assemblywoman Brennan, Assemblymen Tully, Kearney, Karabinchak, Assemblywoman Lopez, Assemblyman Walker, Assemblywoman KatzKatz, and Assemblyman Wainstein and Assemblywoman Carter   SYNOPSIS      Secures protections for patients and providers accessing and providing reproductive health care services;

  CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      As reportedamended by the General Assembly Appropriations Committee on June 8,11, 2026,2026. with amendments.

            6.   6.   (New section)  a.  1[A person who,]who,]   An actor who2[who commits a violation of this sectionsection]2 shall be liable to an aggrieved person, who may bring a civil action in the Superior Court, if the actor:actor 2[:

          (1)1 ] ,2 in violation of section 5 of P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), commits an act of interference with another person’s reproductive health care servicesservices  1[shall be liable to that aggrieved person, who may bring a civil action in the Superior Court] ;2[;

or           (2) causes a reasonable person to suffer damage to the person’s business or personal reputation, financial harm, or pain and suffering, mental anguish, or emotional harm on the basis that the person, entity, or facility provides, volunteers, assists with, or receives reproductive health care services1.services1]2.

          b.   b.   The court may award:

          (1) injunctive relief;

          (2) compensatory damages in an amount not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of $1,000 for each violation of section 5 of P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);

          (3) punitive damages upon proof of willful or reckless disregard of the law;

          (4) reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred;

and           (5) any other preliminary and equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate.

          c.    c.   A conviction for a violation of section 5 of P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall not be a prerequisite for a civil action brought pursuant to this section.

          d.   d.   A court may, in its discretion, permit a person aggrieved by a violation of section 5 of P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to use a pseudonym in a civil action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section when reasonably required to safeguard the health, safety, or privacy of the person.

and for the assessment of a civil penalty against each actor who violates section 5 or 6 of P.L.   P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) (pending , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

and      c.     is charged in the state whose executive authority is making the demand [with providing, receiving, assisting in providing or receiving, providing material support for, or traveling to obtain] based on reproductive health care [services that are permitted under the laws of this State] activity, as defined in section 1 of P.L.   P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) (pending , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), including on any theory of vicarious, joint, several or conspiracy liability.

or      (2) assisting, advising, aiding, abetting, facilitating, soliciting, or conspiring with any person or entity providing, receiving, seeking, or inquiring or responding to an inquiry about ,] reproductive health care [services] activity, as defined in section 1 of [P.L.2022, c.51 (C.2A:84A-22.18), that are legal in this State] P.L.   P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) (pending , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

P.L.2022, c.51, s.2)      10.  (New section) With regard to a person who is charged with, or is suspected or convicted of engaging in reproductive health care activity, as defined in section 1 of P.L.P.L.    , c.

, c.

)    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):

       13.  (New section) The Commissioners of Health and Human Services shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) as may be necessary to implement the provisions of P.L.   P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  Notwithstanding any provision of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to the contrary, the commissioners shall be authorized to adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law, rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of P.L.    , c.     (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).