New Jersey’s legislative environment faces urgent calls to act decisively on protecting trans rights and reproductive healthcare. Assembly Bill A4656, which has garnered support from 39 out of 80 Assembly members and 19 out of 40 Senators, has not yet progressed to a vote since its introduction in June 2024. The bill is designed to secure protections for patients and providers involved in legally protected healthcare activities, particularly regarding access to abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and gender-affirming care.
Despite the broad sponsorship, the bill has lingered for 18 months without action, raising concerns about the state’s commitment to safeguarding these crucial rights. The synopsis of the bill outlines its intent to shield individuals seeking such care from violence and legal repercussions imposed by conservative states where access to these services is increasingly restricted.
At the federal level, the landscape for gender-affirming care has become precarious, largely influenced by initiatives such as Project 2025, which aim to undermine protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Former President Donald Trump has intensified this climate with rhetoric that vilifies trans individuals and mischaracterizes the intentions of those advocating for their rights.
The societal impact of these attacks is profound, especially among youth. According to The Trevor Project, there has been a significant rise in suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary youth, fueled by bullying and harassment. The erosion of reproductive rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 has compounded these challenges, as states implement restrictive laws threatening healthcare providers even outside their jurisdictions.
A mother of a trans son, who spoke to The Trentonian on the condition of anonymity, expressed her fears that her family might have to leave New Jersey if the state fails to secure access to necessary medical care for her child. “I’ve worked hard with medical professionals to determine the right care for my son,” she said. “If you take that [access to medical care] away and force him to detransition, I can’t risk that for my child.”
The mother highlighted a recent incident involving CHOP Gender Clinic, which faced a subpoena from the US Department of Justice demanding sensitive information about patients receiving gender-affirming care. Although the clinic successfully challenged the request, the situation underscores the precarious position of healthcare providers in New Jersey.
Another mother, identified only as Cat, emphasized that the fight for rights extends beyond individual cases. While her daughter is not currently receiving medical care, the implications of eroding rights are alarming for her family and the broader community. “It’s not just about our kid; it’s about all the kids and trans adults,” she stated. Cat, who has advocated for various marginalized groups, noted that her daughter, being both Black and trans, faces significant societal challenges. “These are the kids who are standing up for everyone else,” she added.
As the New Jersey Legislature prepares for its upcoming lame-duck session, the urgency to pass this bill is paramount. Governor Phil Murphy issued an executive order in 2023 to protect access to healthcare, but those protections will expire when his term ends. The current bill does not aim to expand rights but rather to prevent further erosion of existing protections for vulnerable populations.
With the stakes so high, advocates urge the legislature to act swiftly. “New Jersey should remain a safe haven for medical care,” they argue. While the aspiration is to expand rights and access in the long term, the immediate focus must be on maintaining protections that currently exist. The potential consequences of inaction could lead to a dangerous precedent, with further attacks on rights anticipated.
In a state that positions itself as progressive, the expectation is for the legislature to protect the rights and dignity of all its residents, particularly those most at risk. The need for a decisive vote on Assembly Bill A4656 and its Senate counterpart, S3491, is critical. Failure to act not only undermines the rights of trans individuals and those seeking reproductive care but also sets a troubling precedent for the future of healthcare access in New Jersey.
