NJ creates 'strike force' to protect aborting rights

Goals include safety of patient and their data

By: Lindy Washburn
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... A new "strike force" within the state Attorney general's Office will aim to enforce state laws that protect the rights to an abortion, working to make sure that patient confidentiality and personal health information are secure and that patients and providers are not threatened or intimidated by protesters.
..... The reproductive Rights Task force" announced Monday [07/11/2022] by acting Attorney General Matt Platkin is intended to ensure the full implementation of laws that give New Jersey some of the strongest protections for abortion rights in the United States.
..... As other states ban or severalty restrict abortion after the Supreme court's decision to overturn the 49-year the United States, New Jersey is expected to become a haven for people from those states who are seeking abortions.
..... Two laws signed by Governor Phil Murphy on July 1 [2022] bar the extradition of people who receive or perform an abortion in New Jersey to those states that restrict or criminalize the procedure, and prohibit public agencies from aiding investigations conducted by those states into abortion provided here.
..... The new group within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety "will ensure hat these laws are enforced to the full extent possible, and that we use every available resource to protect access to abortion care in New Jersey," Platkin said in a statement.
..... Specifically, it will target individuals who threaten or intimidate patients or providers at clinics that provide reproductive health care and those who violate patient confidentiality to make sure they are held accountable. the strike force will also undertake investigation to secure the private data of patients and providers and to limit the sharing of personal health-related data with third parties, the announcement said.
..... Abortion is available to patients in New Jersey regardless of the gestational age of the fetus and with no waiting periods or parental notification, if the inpatient is a minor. The state Attorney General's Office has prepared a fact sheet on New Jersey's abortion rights at bit.ly/3ywhxWR .
..... The Planned Parenthood action Fund of New Jersey thanked Platkin for "sending a clear message" that affords by abortion opponents to deprive patients of safe, legal abortions would not work in New Jersey.
..... "Everyone should be able to get health care without fear of violence, harassment or intimidation," said Kaitlyn Woitowicz, the fund's vice president of public affairs. "The care Planned Parenthood health centers provide isn't about politics - it's about their well-being.
..... On Friday [07/08/2022] Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the Health and Human Services secretary to ensure access to medication abortions, emergency medical care, and contraception and report back to him in 30 days. Biden asked for volunteer lawyers to defend people who travel across state lines for abortions, along with their providers. and he issued new guidelines on protecting the privacy of patient data about reproductive health from surveillance.

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