Bill Text: NJ S2831 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: "Stacy Zallie's Law"; standardizes support services available to women seeking termination of pregnancy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-12-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S2831 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-S2831-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator DIANE B. ALLEN
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
"Stacy Zallie's Law"; standardizes support services available to woman seeking termination of pregnancy.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning care and support services with respect to terminations of pregnancies, designated as "Stacy Zallie's Law," and supplementing chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. After a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery in the State performs a procedure to terminate the pregnancy of a patient, or after a physician issues a prescription or dispenses a pharmaceutical for the termination of a pregnancy, the patient shall be advised of the opportunity to receive follow-up care and support services, which shall be provided, upon request of the patient, by the physician or another physician in the same medical practice, or a health care professional providing health care services under the supervision of, or in collaboration with, one of these physicians, as appropriate.
b. The follow-up care and support services shall include, but not be limited to, medical care, counseling, and referral to other counseling services or other health care professionals, as appropriate, as provided for by regulation of the State Board of Medical Examiners.
2. If a woman seeking the termination of a pregnancy is advised by a physician that termination of her pregnancy is not an option, due to the gestational age of the fetus, the physician or another health care professional providing health care services under the supervision of, or in collaboration with, the physician shall advise the woman of the opportunity to receive: follow-up medical care for her pregnancy; and support services, which shall include, but not be limited to, referral to an adoption agency or counseling services.
3. The State Board of Medical Examiners, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
4. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment, but the State Board of Medical Examiners may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill provides that after a physician performs a procedure to terminate the pregnancy of a patient or after a physician issues a prescription or dispenses a pharmaceutical for the termination of a pregnancy, the physician is to advise the patient of the opportunity to receive follow-up care and support services. The follow-up care and support services are to be provided upon request of the patient, and would include, but not be limited to, medical care, counseling, and referral to other health care professionals, as appropriate.
The bill also provides that if a woman seeking the termination of a pregnancy is advised by a physician that termination of her pregnancy is not an option, due to the gestational age of the fetus, the physician or another health care professional providing health care services under the supervision of, or in collaboration with, the physician is to advise the woman of the opportunity to receive follow-up medical care and support services, which would include, but not be limited to, referral to an adoption agency or counseling services.
The bill is designated as "Stacy Zallie's Law" to honor the memory of a young woman whose life ended in suicide following the termination of her pregnancy. It is hoped that the care and support services provided for in the bill will prevent similar tragedies in the future, and prompt women who want additional care and support services to request and receive them in a safe, supportive environment.
