“Person” includes an individual, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation.

“Reproductive health care services” means all medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human reproductive system including, but not limited to, services relating to pregnancy, contraception, or termination of a pregnancy.

a. Except as provided in sections 3 through 7 of P.L.1968, c.185 (C. 2A:84A-22.3 through 2A:84A-22.7), section 1 of P.L.1970, c. 313 (C. 2A:84A-22.8), section 29 of P.L.1968, c.401 (C. 45:8B-29), and subsection b. of this section, in any civil action or proceeding preliminary thereto or in any probate, legislative or administrative proceeding, a covered entity, as set forth in the medical privacy and security rules pursuant to Parts 160 and 164 of Subchapter C of Subtitle A of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, established pursuant to the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,” Pub.L.104-191, shall not disclose, unless the patient or that patient’s conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative explicitly consents in writing to the disclosure:

(1) any communication made to the covered entity, or any information obtained by the covered entity from, a patient or the conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative of a patient relating to reproductive health care services that are permitted under the laws of this State; or

(2) any information obtained by personal examination of a patient relating to reproductive health care services that are permitted under the laws of this State.

A covered entity shall inform the patient or the patient’s conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative of the patient’s right to withhold such written consent at or before the time reproductive health care services are rendered or at such time as the patient discloses any information relating to reproductive health care services that have been previously rendered.

b. Written consent of the patient or the patient’s conservator, guardian, or other authorized legal representative shall not be required for the disclosure of any communication or information:

(1) pursuant to the laws of this State or the Rules of Court;

(2) by a covered entity against whom a claim has been made, or there is a reasonable belief will be made, in an action or proceeding, to the covered entity’s attorney or professional liability insurer or insurer’s agent for use in the defense of the action or proceeding;

(3) to the Commissioner of Health, Human Services, or Banking and Insurance, or any professional licensing board operating under the authority of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety for records of a patient of a covered entity in connection with an investigation of a complaint, if the records are related to the complaint; or

(4) if child abuse, abuse of an elderly individual, abuse of an individual who is incapacitated, or abuse of an individual with a physical or mental disability is known or in good faith suspected. For the purposes of this paragraph, the provision of or material support for reproductive health care services that are permitted under the laws of this State shall not constitute abuse.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to conflict with or displace any requirements or conditions for disclosure set forth under 45 C.F.R. § ss.160.203 and 164.514.

c. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impede the lawful sharing of medical records as permitted by State or federal law or the Rules of Court.

L.2022, c.51, s.1.