A person who physically attempts to prevent someone from entering a clinic or medical office could face up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The law creates a new offense called “interference with reproductive health care services,” which includes sex change surgeries. A person who physically attempts to prevent someone from entering a clinic or medical office could face up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The bill also prevents state agencies and courts from assisting out-of-state investigations targeting abortions and sex changes in the state, blocking New Jersey officials from taking actions such as arresting someone and issuing subpoenas or search warrants based on out-of-state investigations.
New Jersey Right to Life Executive Director Marie Tasy said, “Because terms such as ‘threat,’ ‘intimidate,’ and ‘coerce’ are inherently subjective and rest on individual feelings, this language poses a serious danger to free speech. Peaceful sidewalk counseling, prayer, holding signs, or simply offering help and alternatives outside a facility can easily be labeled ‘intimidation’ by someone who claims to feel threatened, leaving pro-life advocates open to criminal charges that are difficult to disprove and chilling constitutionally protected expression.”
New Jersey has seen more patients travel from other states for abortions following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Thirteen states have since enacted total or near-total abortion bans, according to the report.
Abortion and transgenderism advocates welcomed the legislation. Natalie Baker, a co-founder of the Transgender Rights Coalition of New Jersey who has a transgender child, said the law would provide additional protection.
“My fellow providers, my patients and my family can all breathe a little easier,” said Natalie Baker, who has a child she claims is trans and is co-founder of the Transgender Rights Coalition of New Jersey, according to North Jersey.
The measure has drawn criticism from anti-abortion advocates, who say its language could criminalize peaceful protest activity.
“Peaceful sidewalk counseling, prayer, holding signs, or simply offering help and alternatives outside a facility can easily be labeled 'intimidation' by someone who claims to feel threatened,” said Marie Tasy, executive director of New Jersey Right to Life.
Tasy said the law could leave protesters “open to criminal charges that are difficult to disprove, and chilling constitutionally protected expression.”
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