ASSEMBLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1973

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 27, 2025

      The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1973 (1R).

      As amended, this bill directs the Commissioner of Health to require every licensed physician or health care practitioner in the State providing perinatal care to a pregnant person or a person who has given birth, to refer the person for an endometriosis screen, if the person has been diagnosed with preeclampsia and later shows symptoms of endometriosis. 

     The bill requires the Board of Medical Examiners to require every obstetric care provider who is the primary caregiver for a pregnant person or a person who seeks perinatal care within six weeks of giving birth to: (1) in accordance with nationally recognized guidelines, provide the person with information developed by the New Jersey Department of Health on endometriosis; (2) inform the person of the benefits of being screened for endometriosis if the person has been diagnosed with preeclampsia and subsequently shows symptoms of endometriosis; and (3) screen the person for endometriosis or refer the person to a qualified obstetric care provider for screening unless the person provides a written refusal to be screened. 

     The commissioner will be required to develop, in consultation with the Endometriosis Foundation of America and any other community-based organization as may be designated by the commissioner, endometriosis educational information for pregnant individuals and individuals who have recently given birth, have been diagnosed with preeclampsia, and subsequently show symptoms of endometriosis.  The educational information will include information on endometriosis and the potential warning signs and symptoms of endometriosis.

     Upon receipt of a referral for an endometriosis screen pursuant to the bill, the obstetric care provider would discuss the results with the person and, if the person screens positive for endometriosis, develop a treatment plan to minimize the person’s risk from endometriosis.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  remove hospitals, birthing centers, and federally qualified health centers from the requirements of the bill;

      (2)  allow an obstetric care provider who is the primary caregiver to refer a person that has been diagnosed with preeclampsia and subsequently shows symptoms of endometriosis to another obstetric provider for an endometriosis screen;

      (3)  clarify that the Commissioner of Health is to develop educational information concerning endometriosis; and

      (4)  make certain technical changes.