Concerns about an effort to “silence lawful speech” resounded after leftist lawmakers put forth a bill that both advances abortion and gender ideology while undermining the laws of other states.
The latest in language games found a bill two years in the making advancing out of the New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee on Monday. Ahead of an expected vote by the state legislature, enactment of A2218/S2260 would fold so-called transgender services into a category with abortion, shield providers from extradition, and put outspoken opposition at risk of years behind bars.
Prior to the bill’s advancement, primary sponsor New Jersey state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D) contended to the New Jersey Monitor, “This bill is to protect healthcare. Not a political debate. Not a culture war talking point. Healthcare.”
“We will look to change possibly one word, but I just want to echo that S2260 is not a violation of First Amendment Rights,” she insisted while defending, “Our law enforcement will not carry out another state’s agenda.”
The language of the bill makes it a crime to interfere with abortion services under the umbrella of “reproductive health services,” which in turn was expanded to include services for gender ideologues such as chemical castration and genital mutilation.
June 11 marks the next voting session for the Assembly, and the earliest the bill could advance toward New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s (D) desk.
Meanwhile, opposition to the legislation spoke to alleged violations of First Amendment rights as Center for Garden State Families founder Gregory Quinlan said in testimony, “We could be 100 feet away and just praying” as part of “sidewalk counseling” sessions and be arrested.
Penalties for violations include 18 months imprisonment and/or a fine of $10,000 for a fourth-degree crime, and five to 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $150,000 for a second-degree crime.
“The threat of prosecution is enough to silence lawful speech,” said New Jersey Right to Life Executive Director Marie Tasy. “And that happens to be exactly what this bill is designed to accomplish.”
Speaking to the concerns, state Assemblyman Robert Auth (R) expressed, “This is the common thread that seems to run through everyone’s testimony.”
At the same time, outspoken pro-life advocates were being threatened with exorbitant fines and prison; those responsible for baby murder and irreversible medical procedures will be shielded by the state of New Jersey, as it stipulates, “This bill updates N.J.S.A.2A:160-14.1 to prevent a person from being extradited to another state under certain circumstances related to ‘legally protected health care activity.’ … Under the bill, ‘Legally protected health care activity’ is defined as activity providing, seeking, receiving, assisting with, or inquiring about reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services that are lawful in this State, regardless of the patient’s location.”
The umbrella of “gender-affirming” services was said to include support, diagnosis, therapy, supplies, and surgery.
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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