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Bill > A507


NJ A507

NJ A507
Establishes civil immunity for damages arising out of birth injury or congenital defect for physicians providing prenatal care under certain circumstances.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes civil immunity for damages arising out of a child being born with a birth injury or congenital defect for physicians who provide prenatal care to the mother, provided that certain conditions are met. For civil immunity to apply, the bill would require that the skill and care provided in the course of prenatal treatment is that ordinarily required and exercised by those in the medical profession; the woman, of her own volition, did not receive prenatal care from the physician during the final eight weeks of her pregnancy; the physician advised the woman of the importance and benefits of receiving regular, ongoing prenatal care through the end of the pregnancy; and either: (1) the signs, symptoms, or other indicia of the birth injury or congenital defect were not reasonably detectable in the ordinary course of the prenatal care the woman received from the physician up to the date of her last prenatal care visit with the physician; or (2) the physician detected signs, symptoms, or other indicia of the potential birth injury or congenital defect and, based on the best available information, advised the woman as to: · the likelihood that the fetus would be born with a birth injury or congenital defect; · the nature and consequences of the potential birth injury or congenital defect; and· options with regard to medically significant prenatal and post-birth intervention, testing, or treatment appropriate to the medical condition of both the woman and the fetus or child, including the risks and benefits associated with each option, but not including experimental treatments not yet accepted by the medical establishment. This bill would take effect immediately and would apply to any birth occurring on or after the effective date.

AI Summary

This bill establishes civil immunity, meaning a physician cannot be sued for damages, for doctors providing prenatal care if a child is born with a birth injury or congenital defect, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include that the physician provided care consistent with the medical profession's standards, the mother voluntarily stopped receiving care from that physician during the last eight weeks of pregnancy, and the physician had previously advised the mother about the importance of ongoing prenatal care. Additionally, immunity applies if either the birth injury or defect was not reasonably detectable during the prenatal care received, or if the physician detected potential issues and informed the mother about the likelihood, nature, and consequences of the condition, as well as available medically accepted treatment options, excluding experimental ones. This law takes effect immediately and applies to births occurring on or after its effective date.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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