Gov. Murphy signs four new laws to reduce maternal mortality in NJ

Pregnant women will be screened for lead poisoning and female firefighters must be given light-duty options before they take medical leave in New Jersey under new laws Gov. Phil Murphy signed to reduce maternal mortality rates in the state.

With the enactment of this four-bill package Tuesday, Murphy has signed 78 pieces of legislation since 2018 aimed at improving medical care for pregnant women — a cause championed by First Lady Tammy Murphy.

The United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the industrialized world. New Jersey ranks 25th out of 47 states for the rate of maternal deaths during or within six weeks of pregnancy, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data cited by the United Health Foundation in December. An estimated 23.9 women per 100,000 live births in New Jersey died during childbirth or within 42 days of delivering a baby from 2019 to 2023, down from an estimated 26 maternal deaths that occurred from 2018 to 2022.

The new laws will:

• Require fire departments in the state to inform female firefighters of their rights to seek light-duty assignments and how to obtain medical leave and other employee benefits, (A3810);
• Mandate that medical professionals treating pregnant women in the state screen them during the first and third trimester for lead exposure, (A4848);
• Allow parents 90 days, instead of 60 days, to enroll a baby on their health insurance plan, (A5459);
• Require the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority to conduct a public awareness campaign to promote “the health benefits and improved maternal and infant health outcomes” associated with doulas and midwives, (S3091).

“Today’s bill signings will make sure that more mothers in our state are aware of the doula and midwife services available to them, in addition to providing critical support needed to set them and their families up for success during their pregnancies and the early days of parenthood,” said Lisa Asare, president and CEO of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, which was created during Murphy’s tenure.

New Jersey was the first state to create an authority focused on women and infants, the first to launch a report card of hospital maternity care, and the second state to extend Medicaid benefits for a full year after a baby is born, the first lady said in an announcement.

“I am immensely proud of all we have accomplished over the past eight years to advance our mission of making New Jersey the gold standard in maternal and infant health,” she said.

“We are continuing to ensure all moms and babies in New Jersey have the opportunity to thrive by expanding access to lead screenings, supporting families through pregnancy and postpartum, and raising awareness for critical doula and midwife services.”