Bill
Bill > A2723
NJ A2723
NJ A2723Requires certain health care facilities to offer lactation counseling and consultations to persons who have given birth.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires every hospital that provides inpatient maternity services and every birthing center licensed in the State pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) to offer a person who has given birth at the hospital or birthing center: (1) at least one in-person, one-on-one consultation with a lactation counselor or consultant prior to that person's discharge from the hospital or birthing center; or (2) lactation counseling or consultation with a lactation counselor or consultant conducted remotely through live voice communication, if appropriate. The counseling provided by the lactation counselor or lactation consultant is to be comprised of: (1) breastfeeding education and support services, including educating the person who has given birth and the person's family about the impact of breastfeeding and human lactation on health and what to expect in the normal course of breastfeeding; (2) advocacy for breastfeeding as the norm for feeding infants and young children; (3) breastfeeding support and encouragement in order to help the person who has given birth meet their breastfeeding goals; (4) the implementation of a lactation care plan for, and the provision of lactation education to, the person who has given birth including demonstration and instruction on how to breastfeed; (5) recommendations on assistive devices, including nipple shields and supplemental nursing systems, and how to use and purchase such devices; and (6) the distribution of informational literature on breastfeeding, including, but not limited to, information on the health benefits of breastfeeding.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that all hospitals providing maternity services and licensed birthing centers in the state must offer individuals who have given birth either an in-person, one-on-one consultation with a lactation counselor or consultant before they are discharged, or a remote consultation via live voice communication if preferred. The counseling provided will cover essential breastfeeding education and support, including its health impacts, what to expect, advocacy for breastfeeding, help in meeting personal breastfeeding goals, the creation of a lactation care plan with practical instruction, recommendations for and guidance on using assistive devices like nipple shields, and the distribution of informational literature on the benefits of breastfeeding. The bill also clarifies that individuals certified as International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) providing services in these facilities are not required to be licensed as registered nurses. A "lactation consultant" is defined as an IBCLC or a licensed healthcare provider demonstrating specific competencies, while a "lactation counselor" can be a licensed professional, a Certified Lactation Counselor, or a community-based supporter with at least 40 hours of specialized education. The Department of Health will establish rules to implement these provisions, and the law will take effect six months after enactment.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (9)
Andrea Katz (D)*,
Michael Venezia (D)*,
Rosaura Bagolie (D),
Margie Donlon (D),
Mitchelle Drulis (D),
Cody Miller (D),
Luanne Peterpaul (D),
Shanique Speight (D),
Sterley Stanley (D),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A2723 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3000/2723_I1.HTM |
Loading...