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Bill

SH

Bill

A 2007

Requires certain providers to perform intimate partner violence screenings and all health care professionals to take certain actions to prevent perpetrators of intimate partner violence from obtaining copies of victim's medical record.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shama Haider and 5 co-sponsors

Requires health providers to screen for intimate partner violence, document findings, refer victims to resources, and protect victims’ medical records from perpetrators.

Reported out of Asm. Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to Assembly Health Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 2007

Summary of Bill A 2007 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Objective

The bill requires certain health care providers to conduct regular intimate partner violence (IPV) screenings for patients and to protect victims’ medical records from disclosure to perpetrators. It establishes provider duties, patient rights, and state agency responsibilities to support IPV identification, referrals, and privacy protections.

Key Provisions

1) Definitions

  • Health care professional: Licensed or authorized to provide health care in New Jersey (e.g., physicians, nurses, PAs).
  • Provider: Specific licensed clinicians (physician, APRN, PA, certified midwife, certified professional midwife, or certified nurse midwife).
  • Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Acts defined under New Jersey law as inflicted by a person with whom the patient has/had an intimate relationship.
  • Victim of IPV: A person subjected to IPV by someone with whom they have/had an intimate relationship.

2) IPV Screening and Documentation

  • Providers must conduct periodic IPV screenings for each patient receiving care, using nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines.
  • Screening findings and any supporting evidence must be documented in the patient’s medical record.
  • Screenings must occur in a private setting (provider and patient only). Telemedicine/telehealth or self-administered paper/electronic tools may be used if privacy is preserved.

3) Immediate Patient Support and Referrals

  • If screening indicates the patient is or may be an IPV victim, the provider must:
    • In the same visit, give the patient a list of state/region resources and services for IPV victims.
    • Refer the patient to other appropriate health care providers to address physical or mental health consequences.
  • The required resource list is to be maintained and updated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Health, in consultation with survivor-support organizations, on a biennial basis.

4) Protection of Medical Records

  • When IPV findings are documented, the provider must remind the patient, during the same visit, that the patient can restrict who may obtain copies of their medical records under HIPAA and federal privacy rules.
  • If the alleged perpetrator was previously authorized to receive copies, the patient can remove the perpetrator from future access.

5) Administrative Implementation

  • The Commissioners of Children and Families and Health must adopt implementing rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.

6) Effective Date

  • The act generally takes effect on the first day of the fourth month after enactment, with anticipatory administrative action permitted beforehand.

Who Is Affected

  • Licensed physicians, APRNs, PAs, certified midwives, and certified nurse midwives (and other health professionals acting within these roles) practicing in New Jersey.
  • State agencies (DCF and Department of Health) responsible for maintaining and updating IPV resource lists.
  • Patients receiving care from the specified providers, particularly those identified as IPV victims or at risk.

Potential Impact

  • Increased routine screening for IPV across health care settings.
  • Earlier identification of IPV victims and timely access to support services.
  • Enhanced patient autonomy over medical record privacy and who can access records.
  • Greater coordination between health care providers and IPV support resources.
  • Administrative groundwork for standardized IPV responses within the health care system.

Note: The bill emphasizes privacy, victim support, and the use of evidence-based screening practices, with a clear pathway for referrals and resource access.

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

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