Gov. Murphy Pledges to Codify Reproductive Rights In New Jersey State Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2020
Contact: Liza Dee, [email protected], 860-304-2294
Statement from Andrea Miller, president, National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH)
NEW YORK – Andrea Miller, president of the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH), released the following statement today applauding New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to codifying reproductive rights in state law. In his State of the State address, Gov. Murphy detailed an agenda for the year ahead that includes passing legislation to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade in state law and combatting the black maternal and infant mortality crisis.
“In 2020, New Jersey has a historic opportunity to protect and expand reproductive health, rights, and justice, underscoring the impact and necessity of proactive state legislative action,” said Andrea Miller, president of NIRH. “In the face of mounting attacks from the Trump administration, the Supreme Court, and hostile state legislatures, Governor Murphy is showing the country that New Jersey will stand firmly on the side of reproductive freedom. NIRH is proud to be part of the Thrive New Jersey coalition and looks forward to working alongside Gov. Murphy this year to ensure that every person maintains the right and ability make their own decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures.”
In 2019, a record nine states enacted legislation to protect and expand abortion rights and access, according to the National Institute for Reproductive Health’s End of Year Report. Among these wins, Illinois, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont all enacted laws that codify a fundamental right to abortion. Maine guaranteed Medicaid coverage for abortion, and Nevada repealed a criminal ban on self-managed abortion.
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The National Institute for Reproductive Health builds power at the state and local level to change public policy, galvanize public support, and normalize women’s decisions about abortion and contraception.
Using a partnership model, NIRH provides state and local advocates with strategic guidance, hands-on support, and funding to create national change from the ground up. We form strategic partnerships with a wide range of organizations to directly impact the reproductive health and lives of women across the country. Each year, NIRH works in about half the states and more than a dozen localities; to date, NIRH has partnered with 175 reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations in 43 states and 64 localities across the country.