TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy on Nov 18th, signed S912/A3887 into law, requiring health care professionals to ensure all patients have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive, personalized postpartum care plan consistent with their unique and anticipated needs. The bipartisan legislation requires health care professionals to offer pregnant patients a postpartum planning session as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. It also requires health care facilities providing maternity care services to ensure that postpartum care information is provided to all patients receiving maternity care services prior to being discharged at the end of a pregnancy, including for patients who have experienced a stillbirth or pregnancy loss.

The New Jersey Maternal Mortality Review Committee has found that most pregnancy-related deaths occur in the postpartum period. This law will help address preventable factors like care continuity and patient knowledge about risk indicators. This builds on existing efforts through Nurture NJ to enhance postpartum care, such as continuous NJ FamilyCare coverage for 365 days postpartum and the continued expansion of Family Connects NJ, New Jersey’s universal nurse home visitation program.

“New Jersey has made significant progress over the last seven years in our work to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and our efforts have shown how increased care continuity and access to information can improve outcomes for families across our state,” said Governor Murphy. “Today’s action will ensure our health professionals are empowering pregnant patients and new families with information and resources to stay healthy, identify postpartum risks, and reach care after the end of a pregnancy.”

"There is no playbook one mysteriously inherits after delivering a baby and certainly not one that eases the physical challenges moms need to overcome while taking care of a newborn. As a society, we must uplift our families and ensure they have the care and support they need," said First Lady Tammy Murphy. "Through Nurture NJ, we are continuing to build a network of services to ensure that every family has all the resources to do just that: live and thrive. On Nov 18th's bill signing not only targets the health of our moms postpartum but also prioritizes the best health for every family across New Jersey."

Under this law, a new parent’s postpartum plan must at least include:

- the name, phone number, and office address of the patient’s care team

- if applicable, the time, date, and location for the patient’s postpartum visits and a phone number to call to schedule or reschedule appointments

- guidance regarding breastfeeding to allow the patient to make an informed feeding decision

- a reproductive life plan and appropriate contraception

- notes about any of the patient’s pregnancy complications and recommended follow-ups or test results

- guidance regarding signs and symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety; management, including recommendations on how to manage anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric issues identified during pregnancy or in the postpartum period

- recommendations for the management of postpartum issues, such as without limitation pelvic floor exercise for stress, urinary incontinence, or water-based lubricant for dyspareunia; and

- a treatment plan for ongoing physical and mental health conditions which identifies the care team member responsible for follow-up.

This new law furthers the mission of Nurture NJ, a statewide program launched by First Lady Tammy Murphy to make New Jersey the safest, most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby. Since the inception of Nurture NJ in 2019, over 65 pieces of maternal and infant health legislation have been signed into law by Governor Murphy. The initiative has also developed and implemented groundbreaking programs and policies, such as Medicaid reimbursement for community doula care; New Jersey’s universal home visitation program; Family Connects NJ, which ensures every new mother has access to a free visit at home within two weeks of delivery; and the establishment of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority, the first and only governmental authority in the nation focused on maternal health innovation. 

“Having a plan and knowing how to seek medical advice following the end of a pregnancy is critical to ensuring healthy outcomes for both mothers and babies. Throughout the Murphy Administration, we have developed a targeted continuum of care designed to improve outcomes for all new families and we continue to explore all avenues to support expectant mothers during their pregnancies and throughout the early days of parenthood,” said Lisa Asare, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. “Access to postpartum care for new mothers can mean a world of difference in combating serious complications. I commend the sponsors for advancing this legislation and the Governor for signing it into law, and I look forward to seeing its impact.” 

“The postpartum period is a critical time to ensure that families receive the care and support they need to thrive,” said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, MD. “This law will enhance postpartum care planning, empower patients with information tailored to their physical and emotional health needs, and best prepare their care team to support them.”

“This law empowers patients, especially first-time mothers, with comprehensive knowledge about what to expect during the postpartum period,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “A personalized care plan enables patients and doctors to anticipate challenges, recognize complications, and protect maternal health, and I applaud Governor Murphy, the First Lady, and the Legislature for taking action on this issue.”

“Today New Jersey takes another important step to address our maternal health crisis,” said Cari Fais, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.  “Complications in the postpartum period can go unrecognized and have serious, even fatal, consequences. This statute will require health care providers to partner with patients to make sure they have the information and resources needed to protect themselves.”

The primary sponsors of S912/A3887 are Senator Kristin Corrado, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.

"The physical and emotional demands of childbirth and caring for a newborn can be significant and at times, overwhelming. Unfortunately, postpartum symptoms can be difficult to identify and lead to complications, or worse, if left untreated," said Senator Kristin Corrado. "By requiring health care professionals to provide information about personalized postpartum care plans, we are empowering mothers to prioritize their health and well-being during and after pregnancy. This new law will directly help reduce preventable pregnancy-related mortality and enhance women's healthcare overall."

“Ensuring women are explicitly prepared for the postpartum period is crucial to improving maternal health outcomes,” said Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “Pregnancy and the strain it puts on women’s bodies does not end after giving birth. There are significant and confusing changes that can occur, and mothers should not experience this journey alone. They deserve to know the resources available to them, so that we can help prevent complications that are often preventable with proper medical care.”

“Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of profound change, and it can be difficult for women, particularly first-time mothers, to know if what they are experiencing is normal or a sign of a serious health issue,” said Assemblywoman Lisa Swain. “As many as 40 percent of women never seek out or receive postpartum care. By proactively providing new parents with the resources needed to identify their post-partum needs, this legislation helps reduce the likelihood of postpartum complications early on, rather than allowing those symptoms to manifest.”

"While New Jersey has taken significant steps toward improving maternity care in our state, disparities still remain, particularly in minority communities. We crafted this bill to help close that gap,” said Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson. “This legislation will go a long way toward ensuring that every new mother receives necessary care after childbirth, with a postpartum plan that fits their particular needs. Today, and every day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting families throughout the entire pregnancy journey, making sure they never feel alone.”

"On behalf of the New Jersey Section of ACOG, we are pleased to support this important legislation that codifies best practices in obstetrical care into law. The postpartum period is a time of complex physiologic transitions with unique risks. Postpartum care should be ongoing and individualized; this new law will serve as a crucial step forward in continuing to improve the health outcomes for birthing people in NJ. We thank Senator Corrado and Assemblywoman Swain for their sponsorship and steadfast dedication to Women’s Healthcare Issues. We also express gratitude to First Lady Tammy Murphy for her fearless dedication to saving lives, and to Governor Murphy for signing this key legislation,” said Lisa Gittens Williams, MD, Chair of the New Jersey Section of ACOG.

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Corrado, Senator Ruiz, Assemblywoman Swain, and Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson for championing the bipartisan S-912/A-3887,” said Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya, stillbirth mom and Executive Director of the 2 Degrees Foundation. “This critical bill addresses gaps in postpartum care by ensuring all women—whether welcoming a baby or navigating the heartbreak of stillbirth or pregnancy loss—receive the comprehensive support needed for physical, emotional, and mental recovery during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.”

"Governor Murphy, First Lady Murphy, and the Legislature continue to make strides, implementing policies to improve maternal and infant health for all New Jerseyans. Signing this bill into law will help to address a gap in recommended care during the physical and emotional transitions following birth. The legislation will ensure that people have comprehensive, evidence-based information, enabling them to make informed decisions and access routine and emergent postpartum care," said Julie Blumenfeld, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, President, New Jersey Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

"Signing S912/A3887 into law is a monumental step forward in supporting New Jersey families during one of the most critical and vulnerable times in their lives. By ensuring access to personalized postpartum care plans and vital resources for those experiencing pregnancy loss or stillbirth, this legislation acknowledges the diverse needs of families and helps to promote both physical and mental health and well-being. It’s a compassionate and necessary measure to ensure no parent or family navigates these challenges alone. Care Plus NJ, Inc. is proud to stand behind this effort to promote equitable, accessible, and compassionate care for all New Jersey families," said Melissa J. Oparaku, MA, LPC, LCADC, ACS, PMH-C, Vice President of Outpatient Services, Care Plus NJ.

"Improving maternal health outcomes in New Jersey is a priority to the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA). Our New Jersey Perinatal Quality Collaborative brings together the state’s birthing hospitals to promote best practices in caring for mothers and babies through pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care. We applaud Gov. Murphy and the Legislature for their commitment to quality and equitable maternal care," said Cathy Bennett, President & CEO, NJ Hospital Association.

"The League of Women Voters of New Jersey applauds our state’s dedication to improving infant and maternal health during and after pregnancy,” said Jennifer M. Howard, MD, MPH, president of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. “While we are making good progress, maternal mortality rates continue to be too high, particularly for people of color. This legislation requiring individualized postpartum care plans can help optimize the health of postpartum families, improve the care and support to these individuals and reduce preventable fatalities. The League of Women Voters is committed to continuing to work alongside the Legislature, Governor Murphy, First Lady Murphy, and partners to make New Jersey the safest place in the nation to give birth.”