Mercer Times

TRENTON — Advancing efforts to address racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes in New Jersey, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced proposed rules aimed at eliminating biases that negatively impact care quality for women of color during pregnancy, labor, delivery, postpartum, and neonatal periods.

The proposed rules, published in the New Jersey Register today, would require physicians, nurses, and midwives providing perinatal treatment and care to undergo implicit and explicit bias training. A similar rule for physician assistants was published on June 17, 2024.

These regulations implement P.L. 2021, c.079, signed by Governor Murphy as part of efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in New Jersey and ensure equitable care among women and children of all races, religions, and ethnicities.

“For far too long, far too many expecting mothers of color have been disrespected, overlooked, and underserved during their pregnancies and birthing experiences. Our Administration has made it a priority to trust women and to root out these injustices through a number of means. Today’s rule proposal is a critical addition to that list,” said Governor Murphy. “I thank Attorney General Platkin and his office for continuing to prioritize some of our most vulnerable communities. Our Administration is committed to building on our ongoing efforts to protect the health of mothers and newborns in our State.”

“In order to achieve our goal of reducing racial disparities in birth outcomes, it’s important that each and every mother receive culturally competent care from their health care providers,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Today’s rule proposal by Attorney General Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs is a necessary step that builds on the work of the Nurture NJ initiative. The knowledge obtained through these trainings will help ensure members of an expecting mother’s care team approach their essential work without prejudice or bias.”

“Despite advances in medical care, women of color from across the income spectrum are dying from pregnancy-related complications at much higher rates than white women,” said Attorney General Platkin. “We’re committed to eradicating underlying biases that serve as a barrier to quality healthcare for too many women of color in our state.”

“Our healthcare professionals are on the frontline of our efforts to ensure a healthy start for every New Jersey mother and child,” said Cari Fais, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Requiring them to become trained in implicit and explicit biases will raise their awareness and help them identify and prevent bias in the delivery of maternal health care.”

“Systemic racism and implicit bias are not myths; they have contributed to a long history of racial disparities in preventable pregnancy-related deaths,” said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston. “Requiring implicit and explicit bias training is another step toward closing the gap in maternal health care quality.”

“Time after time we have heard from women of color who have had their concerns ignored or neglected when receiving maternal health care services due to prejudices surrounding skin color,” said Lisa Asare, President & CEO of the New Jersey Maternal & Infant Health Innovation Authority.

Under existing rules for the State Board of Medical Examiners & NJ Board Nursing licensees must complete continuing education credit hours biennially. Under new rules proposed by both Boards licensees providing perinatal treatment must complete one hour training on explicit/implicit bias.

The proposed rules address recommendations from Nurture NJ Maternal & Infant Health Strategic Plan calling for continuing education requirements on implicit bias for licensed health professionals.

Topics covered include:

- Identifying unconscious biases/misinformation

- Identifying barriers inclusion

- Historical/contemporary exclusion effects

- Cultural identity across marginalized groups

- Effective communication across identities

- Reproductive justice

- Power dynamics organizational decision-making effects

- Inequities within perinatal care field

Following publication there will be a 60-day public comment period ending September 13th (physicians/nurses/midwives) August 16th (physician assistants). Post-comment period Boards review comments publish summary responses Notice Adoption expected 2025 upon which rule becomes final effective 90 days later.

To view proposed rules submit comments:

For Physician Assistants – 56 N.J.R. 1067(a)

For Physicians – 56 N.J.R. 1230(a)

For Nurses – 56 N.J.R. 1231(a)

For Midwives – 56 N.J.R. 1228(b)