Rutgers School of Public Health and the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute examine the progress in implementing New Jersey's ambitious maternal health policies
A report analyzing the implementation status of the laws enacted between 2018 and 2025 by the Rutgers School of Public Health and the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute demonstrates that New Jersey has made significant progress in implementing maternal and infant health policies.
The 72 policies and two assembly resolutions that the report, "Turning Policy into Progress: How New Jersey Is Advancing Maternal and Infant Health," focuses on span six key focus areas:
- Maternal and Child Health Care Delivery and Access (20 actions)
- Parental and Child Supports (18 actions)
- Family Planning and Fertility Services (11 actions)
- Education, Programs, and Resources (10 actions)
- Legal Agreements and Safeguards (eight actions)
- Data, Surveillance, and Quality Improvement (seven actions)
To assess how the policies are being put into practice, the Rutgers and New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute team systematically reviewed all 72 enacted laws and two assembly resolutions.
For each policy, researchers examined relevant scientific literature and investigated the current implementation status for every mandated action. Through legislative review, a public records analysis, stakeholder engagement, verification of findings and a public source review, team members identified actions taken toward implementation.
The key now is to ensure continued funding and support for policies that close health gaps and continue to respond to current and emerging health needs related to pregnancy, labor and delivery and post-partum.
Leslie Kantor
Chair, Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers School of Public Health
"New Jersey has done an excellent job in legislating and implementing initiatives that, over time, will make a real and meaningful difference in maternal health," said Leslie M. Kantor, chair of the Department of Urban-Global Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health. "The key now is to ensure continued funding and support for policies that close health gaps and continue to respond to current and emerging health needs related to pregnancy, labor and delivery and post-partum."
The researchers' review found that New Jersey has fully operationalized nearly 80% of the Nurture NJ policies across state agencies, clinical and community settings, insurance programs, and legal and entitlement systems - efforts that represent meaningful progress and are expected to yield long-term benefits. Twelve laws have been partially implemented, and three laws have yet to be put into effect.
Fully implemented laws include:
- P.L. 2021, c. 187, which establishes a universal nurse home visitation program. This program, Family Connects NJ, launched in January 2024 and has since provided over 8,000 home visits to families throughout the state.
- P.L. 2019, c. 37, P.L. 2018, c. 10, and P.L. 2018, c. 122, which expand and strengthen family leave and temporary disability leave and establish mandatory sick leave. These efforts have led to a 70% increase in the use of family leave benefits.
- P.L. 2023, c. 109, which created the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center (MIHIC) and NJ Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. The center in July 2025 with $86.7 million in federal and state funding.
While these achievements reflect progress on the implementation of maternal and child health policy, the analysis highlighted areas that require further attention, particularly in education and data infrastructure. The policies not yet fully implemented reflect the complexity and scale of implementing system-level change across multiple agencies, care settings, and underscore the need for continued interagency coordination, sustained funding and oversight to fully achieve Nurture NJ's goals.
"People across New Jersey have supported legislative changes to improve maternal and infant health and to eliminate disparities in birth outcomes. We must now shine a light on how these laws have been implemented - to ensure accountability and to determine what more needs to be done," said Linda Schwimmer, president and chief executive of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute.
New Jersey's improvement from 47th in the nation in maternal mortality to 25th is a testament to what is possible when government, health care providers and communities come together with urgency and purpose.
Tammy Murphy
According to researchers, the findings also illustrate the importance of state leadership commitment, ongoing stakeholder engagement, effective enforcement mechanisms and targeted strategies to ensure that legislative intent translates into measurable improvements in health equity.
By fully implementing policies, systematically evaluating outcomes and identifying both facilitators and barriers to policy enactment, New Jersey can continue to provide valuable guidance and leadership for other states seeking to advance maternal and child health, the researchers said.
"New Jersey's improvement from 47th in the nation in maternal mortality to 25th is a testament to what is possible when government, health care providers, and communities come together with urgency and purpose," said New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy. "Through Nurture NJ, and in collaboration with our legislative partners, we have supported the development of smart, innovative policies that drive forward our shared mission to protect and uplift New Jersey's moms and babies. I am proud to have played a part in our state's transformational journey."
In 2019, through the leadership of First Lady Murphy, New Jersey launched the Nurture NJ initiative with the vision of making the state the safest and most equitable place in the nation to deliver and raise a baby. Between 2018 and 2025, Gov. Phil Murphy signed 72 pieces of maternal and infant health-related laws and 2 assembly resolutions. As of Jan. 7, Gov. Murphy has signed 78 maternal and infant health bills into law.
This analysis is part of a broader evaluation of Nurture NJ, conducted by the Rutgers School of Public Health, and led by Leslie M. Kantor, a professor and chair of the Department of Urban-Global Public Health.
Visit the website to learn more about the scientific underpinnings of the legislation or the Nurture NJ Evaluation.
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