ASSEMBLY, No. 1073
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex)
Assemblywoman ELIANA PINTOR MARIN
District 29 (Essex)
Assemblywoman ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Reynolds-Jackson, Jasey, Assemblyman Mukherji, Assemblywomen Jimenez, Tucker, Vainieri Huttle and Downey
SYNOPSIS
Requires preeclampsia testing for certain pregnant women and women who have given birth.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 18, 2021, with amendments.
An Act concerning preeclampsia testing for pregnant women and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Health shall require every hospital 1[that provides inpatient maternity services]1 in the State, every birthing center licensed in the State pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), 1every federally qualified health center, and [or]1 every physician or health care practitioner in the State providing care to a pregnant woman or a woman who has given birth to 1[administer to the woman a test] screen1 for preeclampsia, if the woman shows symptoms of the condition. 1[The test shall include, but not be limited to, blood tests, ultrasonography, and non-stress tests that monitor a baby’s health] Screening tools shall be based on industry best practices and guidance, as determined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Family Physicians, or other nationally recognized body, as determined by the commissioner1.
b. A hospital that provides inpatient maternity services 1[or], a1 licensed birthing center 1, or a federally qualified health center1 providing care to, or a physician or other health care practitioner who is the primary caregiver for, a pregnant woman or a woman who seeks treatment within four weeks of giving birth, shall, in accordance with guidelines developed by the commissioner:
(1) provide the woman with information on preeclampsia 1and potential warning signs and symptoms1;
(2) inform the woman of the benefits of being 1[tested] screened1 for preeclampsia if she shows symptoms of the condition, and that she is required to be 1[tested] screened1 for preeclampsia unless she indicates in writing her refusal to be 1[tested] screened1 on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner; and
(3) 1[test] screen1 the woman for preeclampsia unless she indicates her written refusal as hereinabove provided. The woman shall, on the same form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, acknowledge receipt of the information provided by the hospital, birthing center, physician, or health care practitioner, as applicable, regarding the benefits of being 1[tested] screened1 for preeclampsia.
c. Upon receipt of the results of 1[the test] any screening1 conducted pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the hospital that provides inpatient maternity services, licensed birthing center, 1federally qualified health care centers,1 or physician or health care practitioner shall discuss the results with a pregnant women or women who has given birth and, if the woman 1[tests positive] screens1 for preeclampsia, develop a treatment plan to minimize the woman’s risk from preeclampsia.
2. The Commissioner of Health, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.