ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5309

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 20, 2025

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5309.

As amended by the committee, this bill permits up to three credits of continuing medical education on menopause to be used by physicians for license renewal.

      Under the bill, the State Board of Medical Examiners is to require that the number of credits of continuing medical education required of each person licensed as a physician, as a condition of biennial registration pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1971, c.236 (C.45:9-6.1), include up to three optional credits of educational programs or topics concerning menopause.

      The bill provides that the optional credits of educational programs and topics concerning menopause  are to include training modules on the physiological and psychological aspects of menopause; available treatments, including hormone therapy and alternative options; health risks associated with menopause, such as cardiovascular health, osteoporosis, and mental health; best practices for screening, diagnosis, and management of menopause-related conditions; and patient communication strategies for discussing menopause and women’s health issues.

      Under the bill, physicians who choose to complete the menopause and women’s health education modules are to receive continuing medical education credits toward their required 100 continuing medical education credits for license renewal.  These credits are to count toward the total continuing medical education hours required, which includes a focus on patient safety, medical ethics, and other essential medical topics.  In addition to receiving continuing medical education credits, physicians who complete these modules are to be eligible for:  financial assistance or subsidies to offset the cost of the training programs; public recognition or certification for completing menopause and women’s health education modules; specialized continuing medical education tracks that include menopause and women’s health education for physicians practicing in relevant specialties like  obstetrics, gynecology, and internal medicine, as determined by the Department of Health.

      The bill defines “menopause” to mean the “biological process during which a woman’s hormone levels change, the woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, and is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period.”

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments:

      1) correct a technical error involving numbering;

      2) increase the number optional credits from one credit to three credits;

      3) revise the definition of “menopause”; and

      4) revise the synopsis to reflect the amendments.