ASSEMBLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2655  

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 11, 2023

      The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 2655 (1R).

As amended, this bill requires health care professionals providing prenatal care to ensure that each pregnant patient has the opportunity to develop a comprehensive personalized postpartum care plan that is consistent with the patient’s anticipated postpartum needs and plans.  The personalized postpartum care plan is required to meet certain minimum requirements enumerated in the bill.  If the patient does not have a plan in place or affirmatively waives their right to develop a plan, the health care professional is to educate the patient about the risks of foregoing adequate postpartum care and offer to consult with the patient to develop a plan.  A health care professional providing prenatal maternity care to a patient and who fails to comply with the provisions of the bill may be subject to disciplinary action.

     The bill additionally requires facilities providing maternity care services, including general hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and birthing centers, to ensure that, prior to discharge following the end of a pregnancy, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth, each patient receiving maternity care services is provided with postpartum care information, based on best practices and guidance, as determined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or another nationally recognized body as may be designated by the Commissioner of Health.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  require facilities providing maternity care to provide information based on best practices and guidance to women receiving maternity care services;

      (2)  clarify that the provisions of the bill apply to patients receiving maternity care;

      (3)  stipulate that the provisions of the bill apply to certified professional midwives and certified midwives, in addition to certified nurse midwives; and

      (4)  stipulate certain minimum requirements for a personalized postpartum care plan.