Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SADAF F. JAFFER
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex)
Assemblywoman ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Atkins, Stanley, Assemblywoman Murphy and Assemblyman Tully
SYNOPSIS
Requires DOH to establish public awareness campaign regarding pelvic floor examinations.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning pelvic floor examinations and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Health shall establish a public awareness campaign regarding pelvic floor examinations. The purpose of the public awareness campaign shall be to:
(1) provide health professionals with pelvic floor examination education and training;
(2) educate health professionals on the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy;
(3) educate women on the importance of pelvic floor examinations during the postpartum period;
(4) inform women about the benefits of pelvic floor examinations and pelvic health physical therapy; and
(5) provide women with information on obtaining pelvic floor examinations and pelvic health physical therapy, including information on obtaining referrals.
b. The Commissioner of Health shall make the public awareness campaign available in as many languages as determined to be necessary by the commissioner.
c. As used in this section:
“Pelvic floor examination” means an examination to assess a woman for pelvic health related conditions consisting of an external evaluation that includes analysis of posture, joint integrity, muscle performance, quality of movement, and palpation and observation of the pelvic floor; and if deemed necessary by the health care professional, an internal vaginal examination, a rectal examination, or both, to examine the muscles of the pelvic floor, the condition of the surrounding fascia, and the position of the organs.
“Pelvic health physical therapy” means a personalized physical therapy plan implemented by a pelvic health physical therapist, following a pelvic floor examination to improve mobility, recover from injury, prevent future injury, and manage pain and chronic conditions.
“Pelvic health related conditions” shall include, but shall not be limited to the following conditions: urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, musculoskeletal dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, cancer-related rehabilitation, and prepartum conditions.
2. The Commissioner of Health shall adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Department of Health to establish a public awareness campaign regarding pelvic floor examinations.
Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health (commissioner) is to establish a public awareness campaign regarding pelvic floor examinations. The purpose of the public awareness campaign is to: (1) provide health professionals with pelvic floor examination education and training; (2) educate health professionals on the benefits of pelvic health physical therapy; (3) educate women on the importance of pelvic floor examinations during the postpartum period; (4) inform women about the benefits of pelvic floor examinations and pelvic health physical therapy; and (5) provide women with information on obtaining pelvic floor examinations and pelvic health physical therapy, including information on obtaining referrals. The commissioner is to make the public awareness campaign available in as many languages as determined to be necessary by the commissioner.
The bill defines “pelvic floor examination” to mean an examination to assess a woman for pelvic health related conditions consisting of an external evaluation that includes analysis of posture, joint integrity, muscle performance, quality of movement, and palpation and observation of the pelvic floor; and if deemed necessary by the health care professional, an internal vaginal examination, a rectal examination, or both, to examine the muscles of the pelvic floor, the condition of the surrounding fascia, and the position of the organs. “Pelvic health physical therapy” means a personalized physical therapy plan implemented by a pelvic health physical therapist, following a pelvic floor examination to improve mobility, recover from injury, prevent future injury, and manage pain and chronic conditions. “Pelvic health related conditions” includes, but is not limited to the following conditions: urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, musculoskeletal dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, cancer-related rehabilitation, and prepartum conditions.