New parents and pregnant women will see expanded health coverage and new protections at work under four bills Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law Wednesday.
“My Administration has made it a priority to pursue lasting change through whole-of-government action, and today’s bill signing builds on our work to make New Jersey the best state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby,” Murphy said in a statement.
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The four new laws require:
- Non-volunteer fire departments to adopt and annually review policies addressing job-related issues of pregnant employees, including limitations of duties and the use of leave time for pregnancy.
- Health care professionals to conduct lead screenings on certain pregnant women, based on federal guidelines and expert recommendations.
- An extension in the time parents have to enroll newborns in health benefits coverage from 60 days to 90 days.
- The state Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to launch a public awareness campaign on the benefits of doula and midwife services.
First lady Tammy Murphy, whose Nurture NJ initiative aims to improve outcomes for moms and babies, said the new laws will ensure “all moms and babies in New Jersey have the opportunity to thrive.” She has advocated for reducing racial disparities in mortality and urged state lawmakers and health officials to improve access to safe care for new parents.
Fire departments will have 180 days to adopt new policies, insurance extensions will take effect in March, and prenatal lead screening expansions will go into effect on April 1.
The statewide campaign on doula and midwife services will include descriptions of services provided by doulas and midwives during prenatal, birthing, and postpartum periods. It will also delve into culturally competent care, health benefits, and improved outcomes as a result of doula and midwife services, and free or low-cost resources for those services.
New Jersey is ranked 25th across the country for maternal mortality rates, according to the United Health Foundation.
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