For Activists: Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package

In New Jersey, the process of how a bill becomes a law follows these basic steps:

1. Introduction: A bill is introduced by a legislator in the New Jersey Legislature (either the state Senate or the General Assembly, referred to as "chambers" of the legislature). The Senate and Assembly will generally introduce similar or identical bills in each chamber, known as companion bills. For example, S3490 and A4655 are the same bill in different chamber. Both bills must follow the below process in each chamber.
2. Committee Review: The bill is assigned to a legislative committee, where it is reviewed, debated, and possibly amended, by a group of 5-15 bipartisan legislators. If the committee approves it, the bill moves forward. The bill will either be assigned to another committee to repeat the process or it will head to the full chamber.
3. Voting: The full Senate or Assembly votes on the bill on the floor.
4. Second Chamber: The second chamber repeats the committee review and voting process. Sometimes these processes occur concurrently in each chamber. If the bill is passed by both the Assembly and the Senate, it moves to the Governor.
5. Governor's Approval: The Governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature after 45 days.
6. Once signed or approved, the bill becomes law and is enforced in New Jersey.