Bill

Bill > A3181


NJ A3181

NJ A3181
Prohibits using cadaveric fetal tissue obtained from elective abortion procedure for research purposes and using any cadaveric fetal tissue to research cosmetic treatments.


summary

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

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, women are given the opportunity to voluntarily donate unused embryos and cadaveric fetal tissue for research purposes following a course of fertility treatments, a miscarriage, or an abortion. This bill prohibits the use of cadaveric fetal tissue obtained from an elective abortion procedure for any research purposes, and prohibits the use of any cadaveric fetal tissue to research cosmetic treatments. The bill will not prohibit the use of cadaveric fetal tissue obtained following a miscarriage or stillbirth for other research purposes, will not affect the prohibition against purchasing or selling embryonic or cadaveric fetal tissue, which is currently a crime under both State and federal law, and will not prohibit genetic or other testing of fetal tissue, at the parent's request, for the purposes of determining the health or condition of the fetus or the parents. A physician or other health care professional treating a patient for infertility is required to provide the patient with timely, relevant, and appropriate information sufficient to allow the patient to make an informed and voluntary choice regarding the disposition of any embryos remaining following treatment. This bill requires that the patient provide written acknowledgement that this information was provided, and that the written acknowledgement be included in the patient's medical record.

AI Summary

This bill amends existing law to prohibit the use of fetal tissue obtained from an elective abortion for any research purposes and also prohibits the use of any fetal tissue for researching cosmetic treatments. "Fetal tissue" refers to the remains of a fetus, and "elective abortion" is a procedure chosen by a woman to terminate a pregnancy. The bill clarifies that this prohibition does not extend to fetal tissue obtained after a miscarriage or stillbirth, nor does it affect current laws against buying or selling fetal tissue, which are already illegal. Additionally, the bill allows for genetic or other testing of fetal tissue if requested by parents to determine the health of the fetus or parents. For individuals undergoing fertility treatments, physicians are now required to provide comprehensive information about embryo disposition options, and patients must provide written acknowledgment that they received this information, which will be kept in their medical records.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

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

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...