Doctors and other medical professionals who provide abortions and transgender care will have expanded legal protections under a bill signed into law Thursday by New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

The legislation, which was approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature early this year along party lines, restricts state agencies from cooperating with federal or out-of-state investigations or inquiries into abortions or "gender-affirming care," expands safeguards for physicians and others who offer the procedures and strengthens healthcare confidentiality protections.

"Here in New Jersey, we are standing firm in defense of reproductive freedoms – including the right to choose and the right to receive gender-affirming care,” Sherrill said.

"No one should fear intimidation or violence for seeking healthcare, and no healthcare professional should fear punishment from another state for providing care that is legal in New Jersey," the governor also said in remarks. "With this legislation, we are making clear that New Jersey will protect patients, providers, and the fundamental freedom to make personal healthcare decisions."

Sherrill said the protections are needed, considering President Donald Trump’s efforts to ban transgender procedures for teenagers, and with states such as Alabama and Texas vowing to prosecute physicians in New Jersey and other states who perform abortions and transgender care for their residents.

“If Greg Abbott or Ron DeSantis tries to investigate someone who came to New Jersey to access care, we will protect anyone seeking care that is legal here in New Jersey from investigations in other states,” she said, referring to the Republican governors of Texas and Florida, respectively.

Under the new law, individuals who physically block access to health care facilities that offer reproductive or transgender healthcare or who intentionally intimidate individuals away from such clinics could face criminal charges, and hefty fines. The law would also allow private individuals to sue if they believe their rights have been violated.

The New Jersey law mirrors those approved by Massachusetts, California and other blue states, shielding providers of abortions and other reproductive care and their patients from potential out-of-state legal action.

Trump signed an executive order in January directing federal agencies to ensure health care institutions receiving federal research or education grants stop offering gender-affirming care to patients younger than 19. The restrictions include puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgical procedures. The Trump administration has also tried to cut off federal funding through Medicaid and Medicare for the procedures.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that Tennessee’s prohibition on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors does not violate the Constitution’s 14th Amendment. The ruling means similar restrictions approved by at least 26 other states that have restricted transgender medical care for young people stand.

In response, Democratic lawmakers in several states have pushed through protections for gender treatments or procedures, in some cases for minors, arguing they’re critical to a child’s health care.

Republicans have pushed back against those efforts, arguing that gender procedures are detrimental to children’s health and that parental rights are often trampled in the process.

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a pair of bills last year making it the first state in the Northeast to ban “gender-affirming” medical care for underaged children.