ASSEMBLY HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2134

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JANUARY 29, 2018

 

     The Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2134.

     This bill proposes to supplement the Fiscal Year 2018 annual appropriations act by making an appropriation of $7,453,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health for Family Planning Services grants. 

     Appropriations for these grants were eliminated in Fiscal Year 2011, and have not been reinstated.  The elimination of this funding resulted in both the closing of centers that provide family planning services and a reduction in the availability of such services, as the remaining sources of federal and private funding for the family planning centers were insufficient to maintain existing services.

     This bill restores State funding for family planning centers to previous levels, thereby increasing the availability of family planning services. 

     The bill specifies that the funding may not be used for abortion procedures.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2018-2019 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.