Bill > S2218

Introduced Session

This bill directs the Commissioner of Health to require every hospital in the State, every birthing center licensed in the State pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), every federally qualified health center, and every physician or health care practitioner in the State providing care to a pregnant person or a person who has given birth, to screen the person for endometriosis, if the person has been diagnosed with preeclampsia and later shows symptoms of endometriosis. The screening tools are to be based on industry best practices, as determined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or another nationally-recognized body designated by the commissioner. A hospital, licensed birthing center, or federally qualified health center providing care to, or a physician or other health care practitioner who is the primary caregiver for, a pregnant person or a person who seeks treatment within six weeks of giving birth would, in accordance with guidelines developed by the commissioner: provide the person with information on endometriosis based on an educational program developed by the commissioner; inform the person of the benefits of being screened for endometriosis if the person has been diagnosed with preeclampsia and subsequently shows symptoms of endometriosis, and that the person is required to be screened for endometriosis unless the person provides a written refusal to be screened; and screen the person for endometriosis unless the person provides a written refusal to be screened. The person would be required to acknowledge receipt of the information provided by the hospital, birthing center, federally qualified health center, physician, or health care practitioner, as applicable. The commissioner will be required to develop a standardized form to be used to acknowledge receipt of the information, which form may also be used to provide written refusal to be screened for endometriosis. The commissioner will also be required to develop, in consultation with the Endometriosis Foundation of America and any other community-based organization as may be designated by the commissioner, a endometriosis educational program for pregnant individuals and individuals who have recently given birth, have been diagnosed with preeclampsia, and subsequently show symptoms of endometriosis. The educational program will include information on endometriosis and the potential warning signs and symptoms of endometriosis. Upon receipt of the results of a screening conducted pursuant to the bill, a hospital, licensed birthing center, federally qualified health center, or physician or health care practitioner, as applicable, would discuss the results with the person and, if the person screens positive for endometriosis, develop a treatment plan to minimize the person's risk from endometriosis.

Committee Categories

Raj Mukherji (D)*,  Teresa Ruiz (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document