Testa: Is Murphy’s DOH Changing School Vaccine Requirements Without Notifying Parents?
Senator Michael Testa called on Governor Murphy to clarify the intent of a request from the Department of Health (DOH) for proposed rule revisions on vaccine requirements for students.
“It is abundantly clear that the Murphy administration is attempting to railroad parental rights by soliciting egregious vaccine recommendations from anonymous stakeholders,” said Testa (R-1). “When the government tries to sneak in policy changes that would impact a child’s quality of education behind closed doors, that should immediately send a red flag to parents. There is no greater stakeholder in a child’s life than their parent or guardian.”
Corrado Bill Protecting Newborn Babies Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin M. Corrado that protects the lives of newborn babies by giving parents more options to surrender their infants safely and anonymously was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizen Committee.
Sen. Corrado’s bill that protects the lives of newborn babies by giving parents more options to surrender their infants safely and anonymously was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizen Committee.
“We’ve all seen reports that more newborns are being safely surrendered as awareness of the State’s Safe Haven law increases,” said Corrado (R-40). “Although it is a difficult decision for any parent to give up their newborn, safe havens have provided an alternative for parents to drop-off infants rather than putting their child in harm’s way. This legislation would expand New Jersey’s Safe Haven law to provide parents with an additional life-saving option for their child after giving birth.”
Bucco Says Democrats Can “No Longer Ignore” Whale Deaths
Senator Anthony M. Bucco issued the following statement in response to Assembly Democrats announcing that they will be holding a hearing to discuss marine mammal deaths in New Jersey:
A slide from a presentation given during Senate Republican’s independent hearing on whale deaths. (Mike Dean)
“Senate Republicans have led the charge in questioning the impact of offshore wind development on marine mammals. We have forced a conversation that Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats can no longer ignore as the number of whale deaths along our coast continue to rise,” said Bucco (R-25). “Prior to the Senate Republican independent hearing, we invited stakeholders from both sides of the issue to have an open and transparent discussion, but I’m questioning whether Democrats will be fair and unbiased in their investigations as well.”
Schepisi: Murphy Administration Won’t Admit They’re Considering New Vaccine Requirements for School Children
Senator Holly Schepisi said the Murphy administration won’t admit it’s considering adopting new vaccine requirements for school children even after the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) sent proposed rule changes and a solicitation for comments to “stakeholders” on May 8.
A slide from the presentation sent by the NJDOH to stakeholders requesting input on proposed changes to vaccine requirement for school children. (NJDOH)
“The Murphy administration is looking to mandate COVID-19 vaccines, flu shots, and Gardasil in order for children to attend school through proposed rule changes,” said Schepisi (R-39). “The DOH reached out to supposed ‘stakeholders’ to share their proposal privately, while never hinting to members of the Legislature or parents that this might be in the works. It’s another shocking example of this administration trying to sneak through a major policy change that would further erode parental rights.”
VIDEO: Testa Talks About Republican Efforts to Save the Whales on Fox News with Martha MacCallum
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) appeared on Fox News with Martha MacCallum on Monday to discuss Republican efforts to protect whales, dolphins, and the Jersey Shore from Big Wind.
Pennacchio Introduces Legislation to Help Towns Meet Affordable Housing Obligations
Senator Joe Pennacchio has introduced legislation that would help towns meet a significant portion of their affordable housing obligations through regional contribution agreements (RCAs).
Sen. Joe Pennacchio has introduced legislation that would help towns meet a significant portion of their affordable housing obligations through regional contribution agreements. (Pixabay)
“Towns across New Jersey are having a really difficult time trying to find space for the massive numbers of new affordable housing units they’ve been mandated to build,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “In many cases, towns are being forced to destroy what little remaining open space they have and are building at much higher densities than their communities can support. To help relieve this burden, we’re proposing legislation that would allow towns to use RCAs once again to support the construction of affordable housing in the places that can best support it.”
Oroho Bill Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Extortion Signed Into Law
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that would establish the crime of sexual extortion to fight a growing trend that often victimizes minors was signed into law.
Sen. Oroho’s bill that would establish the crime of sexual extortion to fight a growing trend that often victimizes minors was signed into law. (Pixabay)
“I am pleased that this legislation was signed into law today to protect minors from sexual victimization in New Jersey. We will now be able to identify, convict, and punish the perpetrators who engage in this despicable behavior,” said Oroho (R-24). “This law upholds our commitment as legislators to ensure that justice will be served for the victims of this heinous abuse.”
Oroho, Space & Wirths Bill Easing Proof of Disability for Veterans’ Parking Privileges Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) that would allow permanently disabled veterans to submit less paperwork to the MVC for parking privileges was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths that would allow permanently disabled veterans to submit less paperwork to the MVC for parking privileges was signed into law today by Governor Murphy. (©iStock)
“We are proud that this bill was signed into law. Our disabled veterans should not have to go through needless red tape to secure basic benefits from the Motor Vehicle Commission,” said Senator Oroho. “Under this bill, permanently disabled veterans who apply for special benefits through the MVC will only need to submit proof of their disability with their first application—not on renewal ones. This will improve efficiency at the MVC and allow our veterans to enjoy all of the benefits they so rightly earned in a timely manner.”
Steinhardt Sponsors Legislation to Improve Ovarian & Breast Cancer Screenings for Women
Senator Doug Steinhardt is sponsoring legislation that would improve access to ovarian and breast cancer screenings for women.
Sen. Doug Steinhardt is sponsoring legislation that would improve access to ovarian and breast cancer screenings for women. (©iStock)
“It’s shocking that insurance doesn’t always cover preventative screenings for some of the deadliest cancers in women even when recommended by their doctor,” said Steinhardt (R-23). “There shouldn’t be any situation in which a woman who is at risk of breast or ovarian cancer doesn’t have their test covered because of some arbitrary rule set by an insurer. If a doctor says a mammogram, pelvic exam, or other screening is necessary, it should be covered. If this bill is enacted, New Jersey would join Pennsylvania in being a leader in the fight for preventative cancer screenings for women.”
Bucco & Schepisi Bill to Provide Career Pathways for Ex-Offenders Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Holly Schepisi that provides employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals was approved by the Senate Labor Committee.
Sen. Bucco and Sen. Schepisi’s bill that provides employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals was approved by the Senate Labor Committee. (Pixabay)
“It can be extremely difficult for people to find the jobs they need to become self-supporting after serving their time and being released from prison,” said Bucco (R-25). “We know that the combination of a criminal record and a lack of job training results in significant barriers to employment for former prisoners, which increases the likelihood that someone will become a repeat offender. The Second Chance Program will address this unfortunate reality by connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities to help them become contributing members to society.”
