A New Jersey Democrat has introduced a bill aimed at informing women about restrictive abortion laws in other states they may be visiting. State Senator John Burzichelli’s proposal would require New Jersey’s health and state departments to create a website with a color-coded system that highlights states based on their abortion laws, according to NJ Spotlight News.
If you’re a woman traveling across the country for business or considering going to school in a state like Mississippi, this will help you understand the kind of medical services available in case you need emergency care, Burzichelli said.
The Reproductive Health Travel Advisory would categorize states into three colors: blue, yellow, and red. Blue would indicate abortion access is available without risk of prosecution, yellow would signal some restrictions that could lead to civil or criminal penalties, and red would warn of extremely limited access, advising women to reconsider traveling due to the risk of medical issues and legal consequences.
“Right now, there’s no easy way to quickly find out what abortion laws exist in states like Texas or Tennessee. You can dig for the information, but it’s scattered,” Burzichelli noted. He emphasized that women do not have equal rights in every state, making it critical for them to understand the legal landscape before traveling.
This proposal follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, giving states the authority to determine their own abortion laws. Since then, many Republican-led states have enacted restrictions, while several Democrat-led states have bolstered protections for abortion access.
It’s hard to believe we’re discussing this in 2024, Burzichelli said. The fact that we need to consider a travel advisory underscores the current state of affairs.
New Jersey has expanded abortion access, recognizing it as a fundamental right under state law and its constitution. The state also welcomes women from other states with restrictive laws and shields them from extradition after receiving an abortion.