NJ: New Bills Introduced

Assemblyman Conaway introduced 3 new bills on 11.20.23

On Monday, November 20th, Assemblyman Herb Conaway, District 7, the Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, introduced new bills that we would like to make you aware of:

1. Bill A5750: “Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor’s use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.” Conaway is quoted in this Politico Pro article saying, “It really has been horrific on the mental health and the physical health of our young people, particularly teenagers and particularly young girls.” This bill seems sensible upon review of its title granting NJ parents/guardians consent regarding the use of social media for minors; however, the verbiage of this bill has not been released to the public yet. Assemblyman Conaway is also the sponsor of bill A2328/A4231 which “Permits minors 13 years of age and older to consent to behavioral health care services.” Currently in NJ, minors can consent to behavioral health care services at age 16, but this bill seeks to lower the NJ age of consent to age 14 without parental consent. Conaway also sponsors bill A1991 which “Clarifies statutory exemptions from mandatory immunization requirements for childcare center and school attendance,” a bill that seeks to tighten the existing Religious Exemption for vaccinations in NJ.

   

   So, let’s get this straight, this NJ Assemblyman is proposing legislation that seeks to gain parental consent regarding the use of social media, but doesn’t believe NJ parents need to consent to mental health services and doesn’t trust that parents can decide whether or not vaccinations conflict with their religious beliefs?

****Please be advised there is also a bill in NJ: A2679 that “Permits minors aged 14 years or older to consent to certain vaccines without permission of parent or guardian.”

Does anyone else see a NJ bill theme here? Remove parental rights to guide minors regarding medical interventions and mental health services but empower parents via legislation to guide minors regarding social media use. #njinsanity

Assemblyman Conaway also introduced these bills on Monday:

1. Bill A5753: “Requires certain health care facilities to institute COVID-19 vaccine policy for employees.” *2023 MEDICAL MANDATE ALERT* If you are a healthcare professional or work in a healthcare setting in NJ, consider joining New Jersey United Medical Professionals, a subsidiary of NJPHIPAC, that connects healthcare professionals statewide who support true informed consent, reject medical mandates and value the importance of protecting the patient/physician relationship.

   

   

2. Bill A5752: “Expands authority of pharmacy technician in administering drugs and vaccines and permits pharmacists and pharmacy interns, externs, and technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccine.” *This bill would permit more NJ pharmacy employees the ability to administer vaccinations, but will their interactions with patients and parents include #informedconsent? Will they properly distribute the Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for each vaccine being administered? Will there be a thorough review of family history, possible ingredient allergens, previous adverse events, the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) and how to report an adverse event? Who will pharmacy patients confer with if they do experience an adverse event post vaccination? Is there a system in place that accounts for this occurrence?

The NJ legislative lame duck session (post-election, November 2023 through January 2024, when the legislative body meets after its successor is elected, but before the successor's term begins) has begun and we, NJ residents, must remain vigilant and watch the bills that are on Trenton’s agenda.

Please follow

Innovative Parenting NJ

#IPANJ, New Jersey Public Health Innovation PAC & Stand for Health Freedom (NJ) for NJ Advocacy Alerts

#IPANJ