The Senate Version, S2522, was introduced on 2/5/24 and is identical to the Assembly version. Prime Sponsors are Senator Shirley Turner (D-15), and Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-29). Co-sponsored by Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32).
The bill seeks to penalize Pregnancy Resource Centers because they do not perform or refer for abortion. The bill was written at the urging of Planned Parenthood and is based on the false assertion by pro-abortion groups that pregnancy centers engage in deceptive practices. The bill authorizes the NJ Attorney General to bring a lawsuit against the pregnancy center for violating the Consumer Fraud Act. The bill permits civil penalties to be determined by a court and also gives the Attorney General very broad authority to essentially shut down the pregnancy center "when it shall appear to the Attorney General that a crisis pregnancy center is about to engage in, is continuing to engage in, or has engaged in conduct which is in violation" of the intent of the Act.
Please email and call the members of the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee and urge them to Vote No to release Bill A861.
Email and call your two Assembly members and State Senator and urge them to Vote no on A861/S2522 when the bill comes up for a Vote before the full Assembly and Senate.
You can find your three legislators by searching for your municipality Here.
Members of the Committee and their email addresses are listed below:
Asw. Shavonda Sumter (D)
(973) 925-7063
Asw Yvonne Lopez (D)
(732) 638-5057
Asm. Al Barlas (R )
(862) 702-8458
Asw Barbara McCann Stamato (D)
(201) 451-5100
Asw. Jessia Ramirez (D)
(201) 683-7917
Asm. Erik Simonsen (R )
(609) 778-2012