[Second Reprint]
ASSEMBLY, No. 1996
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Peterpaul, Donlon, N.Munoz, Assemblymen Tully, Karabinchak and Assemblywoman Hall
SYNOPSIS
Establishes requirements to evaluate certain people who are pregnant and who have given birth for preeclampsia.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 15, 2025, with amendments.
An Act concerning preeclampsia 2[screenings] evaluations2 and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. 1[The Commissioner of Health shall require every] Every1 2[hospital 1[in the State, every] or1]2 birthing center licensed in the State pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), every federally qualified health center, and every 2licensed2 1[physician or]1 health care practitioner 2[in the State]2 providing 2prenatal2 care to a pregnant person2,2 or 2postpartum care2 1to1 a person who 2[has given] seeks treatment within 12 weeks of giving2 birth 2[1within the prior 12 weeks1]2, 1[to screen] shall adopt and adhere to policies requiring1 the person 1to be 2[screened1] evaluated, as necessary,2 for 1[preeclampsia] hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy, including, but not limited to, postpartum preeclampsia and hypertension,1 if the person shows symptoms of the condition 1and has not in the current or recent pregnancy previously been diagnosed with the condition or after the onset of such symptoms1. 2[Screening] Evaluation2 tools shall be based on 1[industry]1 best practices and guidance, as determined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or another nationally-recognized body 2[as may be designated by the 1[commissioner] Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the State Board of Medical Examiners1]2.
b. 2[A 1licensed1 hospital 1[, a licensed] or1] Every2 birthing center 2licensed in the State pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.)2, 2[or a] every2 federally qualified health center 2[providing care to]2, 2[or a]2 1[physician or other]1 2and every licensed2 health care practitioner 2[who is the primary caregiver for,] providing prenatal care to2 a pregnant person2,2 or 2postpartum care to2 a person who seeks treatment within 1[six] 121 weeks of giving birth, shall, in accordance with 1[guidelines] 2[policies1 developed 1[by the commissioner] pursuant to this act1] nationally recognized evidence-based treatment practices2:
(1) provide the person with 2evidence-based2 information on 1[preeclampsia] hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy preeclampsia, including, but not limited to, postpartum preeclampsia and hypertension1 and potential warning signs and symptoms 2[through the educational 1[program] information1 developed pursuant subsection d. of this section]2;
(2) inform the person of the benefits of being 2[screened] evaluated2 for 1[preeclampsia] hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy preeclampsia, including, but not limited to, postpartum preeclampsia and hypertension,1 if the person shows symptoms of 1[the condition] any such disorders1, and that the person 1[is required to] should1 be 2[screened] evaluated2 for 1[preeclampsia] hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy under the circumstances set forth in this 2[act1] section2 unless the person 1[issues a written refusal] declines1 to be 2[screened] evaluated2 1[, which refusal shall be provided on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner consistent with the provisions of subsection c. of this section]1;
1[(3) screen the person for preeclampsia unless the person provides written refusal as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection. The person shall, on the form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner consistent with subsection c. of this section, acknowledge receipt of the information provided by the hospital, birthing center, federally qualified health center, physician, or health care practitioner, as applicable, regarding the benefits of being screened for preeclampsia; ]1 and
1[ (4) encourage] 2[(3) inform1 the person 1[to] of the benefits of1 routinely 1[engage] engaging1 in home blood pressure monitoring 1and encourage the person to do so1.
1[c. The commissioner shall develop a standardized form to be used for the purposes of providing the acknowledgement required pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection b. of this section, which may also be used to provide written refusal to undergo a screening for preeclampsia pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection b. of this section, if applicable hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy preeclampsia, including but not limited to postpartum preeclampsia and hypertension.]1
1[d.] c.1 The commissioner shall 1[develop]1, in consultation with the 1[Preeclampsia Foundation and any other community-based organization as may be designated by the commissioner] State Board of Medical Examiners1, 1[a preeclampsia] develop1 educational 1[program] information concerning hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy, including, but not limited to, postpartum preeclampsia and hypertension1 for pregnant individuals and individuals who have recently given birth. The educational 1[program] information1 shall include information on 1[preeclampsia] hypertensive disorders related to pregnancy preeclampsia, including, but not limited to, postpartum preeclampsia and hypertension1 and the potential warning signs and symptoms 1[of preeclampsia] thereof1. 1The educational information shall be distributed by the Department of Health to hospitals, birthing centers, federally qualified health centers, and health care practitioners that are subject to the provisions of this act.1]2
1[e. Upon receipt of the results of any screening conducted pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the hospital, licensed or birthing center, federally qualified health center, or physician or health care practitioner, as applicable, shall discuss the results with the person and, if the person has a positive screening for preeclampsia, develop a treatment plan to minimize the person’s risk from preeclampsia.]1
2(3) upon receipt of the results of any evaluation conducted pursuant to this section, discuss the results with the person and, if the person has a positive evaluation for preeclampsia, develop an evidence-based treatment plan to minimize the person’s risk from preeclampsia.2
2. The Commissioner of Health 1[, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall] may1 adopt rules and regulations 1, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as are necessary1 to effectuate the purposes of this act 1, and the State Board of Medical Examiners, and any other agency or board that regulates health care practitioners subject to the requirements of section 1 of this act, shall promulgate rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act1.
3. This act shall take effect 2[immediately] 180 days following enactment2.