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S 3663

Relates to the electrification of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Hoylman-Sigal

New Jersey would publish a color‑coded 50‑state advisory detailing each state’s reproductive health laws to help residents decide whether to travel for care.

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Bill Summary · S 3663

Summary — S 3663 (Relates to a New Jersey “Reproductive Health Travel Advisory”)

Overview / Purpose

S 3663 would create a public advisory informing New Jersey residents about the extent to which other U.S. states restrict access to reproductive health care, with the stated goal of helping pregnant people make informed interstate travel decisions. The advisory would characterize each state under a three‑tier system (Blue / Yellow / Red) based on the severity of restrictions and potential civil/criminal exposure for patients and providers.

Key provisions (Introduced version)

  • Require the New Jersey Department of State (DOS) to establish the “New Jersey Reproductive Health Travel Advisory.”
  • For every U.S. state, the advisory must describe reproductive‑health rules and restrictions, including (but not limited to):
    • gestational‑duration bans, waiting periods, medication restrictions;
    • insurance coverage bans, funding available to patients;
    • state constitutional protections; and
    • criminal and civil liability for patients and providers.
  • A three‑tier color system:
    • Blue — “Exercise normal caution”: full access without fear of prosecution;
    • Yellow — “Exercise increased caution”: restricted access, potential civil/criminal exposure;
    • Red — “Reconsider travel”: extremely restricted access, risk of adverse outcomes or prosecution, or denial of emergency care.
  • DOS must publish the advisory prominently online and update it whenever a state changes its laws, rules, or regulations affecting reproductive care.
  • Effective immediately upon enactment.

Governor’s conditional veto / recommended amendments (Governor’s message, Oct. 20, 2025)

  • The Governor returned S 3663 with recommended changes arguing that maintaining an ongoing, authoritative 50‑state legal survey would be a large and unsuited burden for DOS.
  • Proposed replacement: require the Department of Health (DOH) to post to the existing Reproductive Health Information Hub (established by P.L.2023, c.170) a resource or links where individuals can find information about out‑of‑state reproductive health rights and limitations.
  • Specific recommended elements:
    • Include items such as gestational bans, waiting periods, and state constitutional protections;
    • Advise individuals to contact their health insurer about out‑of‑state coverage;
    • Allow DOH to rely on trustworthy third‑party sources to reduce State resource burdens;
    • Require DOH to post the resource within 180 days of the amended law’s effective date.
  • The Governor’s recommendations were returned to the Legislature for reconsideration.

Who would be affected

  • Pregnant persons and others seeking reproductive health care who travel or consider traveling out of state.
  • Health care providers advising patients on out‑of‑state care.
  • State agencies: Department of State (as originally drafted) and Department of Health (per Governor’s recommended amendment).
  • Health insurers (resource would advise contacting insurers about out‑of‑state coverage).

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced in Senate: 9/26/2024 (Sponsor: Sen. Brad Hoylman‑Sigal).
  • Reported out of Senate committee: 10/7/2024; Passed Senate: 10/28/2024 (25–14).
  • Passed Assembly: 6/30/2025 (54–25); substituted for A4915.
  • Committees and reprints: amendments and print as 3663A; referrals include Energy & Telecommunications (5/19/2025) and Finance (reported/committed 5/29/2025).
  • Governor issued a conditional veto and returned the bill with recommendations on 10/20/2025 — Legislature may accept the changes, amend the bill, or attempt an override.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • If implemented as introduced, the advisory would create a centralized, state‑maintained, dynamic 50‑state legal summary applying a simple risk tier system — potentially useful to travelers but administratively intensive.
  • Governor’s recommended approach shifts the burden to DOH and leverages the existing Reproductive Health Information Hub and third‑party sources to reduce resource strain while preserving public access to comparative information.
  • Practical effects depend on (1) whether the Legislature adopts the Governor’s amendments or proceeds with the original DOS advisory; and (2) the frequency and accuracy of updates given rapid legal changes in some states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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