ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN'S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2181

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 4, 2026

      The Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2181.

      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 evaluation, 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 evaluated for endometriosis if the person has been diagnosed with preeclampsia and subsequently shows symptoms of endometriosis; and (3) evaluate the person for endometriosis or refer the person to a qualified obstetric care provider for evaluation unless the person provides a written refusal to be evaluated.

      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 evaluation pursuant to the bill, the obstetric care provider would discuss the results with the person and, if the person has a positive diagnosis of endometriosis, develop a treatment plan to minimize the person’s risk from endometriosis.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.