Bill > S2872

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, to administer to every pregnant person a non-invasive prenatal test.. As defined in the bill, "non-invasive prenatal test" means a blood test performed beginning at ten weeks of pregnancy that is used to screen for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. Under the bill's provisions, the testing is to be based on industry best practices and guidance, 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, would, in accordance with guidelines developed by the commissioner: (1) provide the person with information on Downs syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities and the risk factors associated with such abnormalities based on an educational program developed by the commissioner; (2) inform the person of the benefits of undergoing non-invasive prenatal testing, and that the person is required to be tested, unless the person provides a written refusal to be tested; (3) and perform a non-invasive prenatal test unless the person provides written refusal to be tested. 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, regarding the benefits of undergoing non-invasive prenatal testing. The bill requires the commissioner 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 undergo non-invasive prenatal testing. The commissioner will also be required to develop, in consultation with the New Jersey Perinatal Associates and any other community-based organization as may be designated by the commissioner, a non-invasive prenatal testing educational program for pregnant persons. The educational program would include information on Downs syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities and the risk factors associated with such abnormalities. Upon receipt of the results of a non-invasive prenatal test conducted pursuant to the provisions of the bill, the hospital, licensed birthing center, federally qualified health center, or physician or health care practitioner, as applicable, is to discuss the results with the person and, if the person receives a positive test result, make a referral to a genetic counselor for further consultation. The bill also requires health insurers to cover the costs for conducting non-invasive prenatal tests for a pregnant person. Specifically, certain health insurers (health, hospital, and medical service corporations, commercial individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and the State Medicaid Program) are to provide health benefits coverage for expenses incurred expenses incurred in conducting a non-invasive prenatal test for a pregnant person.

Committee Categories

Teresa Ruiz (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 03/04/2024)

Official Document