Bill
Bill > A5940
summary
Introduced
07/24/2025
07/24/2025
In Committee
07/24/2025
07/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes the "New Jersey Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.'' Under the bill, if an abortion or attempted abortion results in a child born alive, any health care professional present at the time the child is born alive is to exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care professional would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and ensure that the child is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital for treatment. A person who violates the above provisions is to be guilty of a crime of the third degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Under the bill, "born alive," with respect to a member of the species homo sapiens, means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion. The bill provides that a person who intentionally performs or attempts to perform an overt act that kills a child born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion is to be guilty of violating N.J.S.2C:11-3. A violation of N.J.S.2C:11-3 is punishable by 30 years to life imprisonment. Under the bill, a health care professional and any employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with the requirements of this bill's provisions is to immediately report the failure to an appropriate State or federal law enforcement agency or both or be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by imprisonment for up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The bill provides that the mother of a child born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion is not to be guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime under the bill's provisions. Further, the mother of the child born alive may bring a civil action for damages against any violator of the provisions of this bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the "New Jersey Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act," which requires healthcare professionals to provide the same level of medical care to an infant born alive during or after an attempted abortion as they would to any other newborn of the same gestational age. The bill defines "born alive" as a complete expulsion or extraction from the mother where the infant shows signs of life such as breathing, a beating heart, or muscle movement, regardless of the circumstances of birth. Healthcare professionals who fail to provide appropriate care or intentionally harm such an infant can face criminal charges, with penalties ranging from three to five years imprisonment and fines up to $15,000 for third-degree crimes, or up to 30 years to life imprisonment for intentionally killing a born-alive infant. The bill also mandates that any healthcare professional or employee who knows of a failure to comply with these provisions must report it to law enforcement or face fourth-degree criminal charges. Importantly, the mother of the born-alive infant cannot be prosecuted for conspiracy and is allowed to bring a civil action against anyone who violates the act's provisions, potentially including punitive damages for intentionally malicious conduct.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Dawn Fantasia (R)*,
Paul Kanitra (R)*,
Michael Inganamort (R),
Greg McGuckin (R),
Gregory Myhre (R),
Erik Peterson (R),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee (on 07/24/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5940 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5940_I1.HTM |
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