Call to ACTION! Plan to be in Trenton Thursday, April 5, 2018

Bill A3818 that will restrict religious exemptions to vaccine is on the agenda for a vote on Thursday, April 5, 2018 in the Assembly Health Committee.

This is an URGENT situation. We need ALL HANDS ON DECK NOW!

PHONE CALLS

EVERYONE (and all your friends and family) must call each member of the health committee. Leave a message.

SEND EMAILS

Expressing your opposition to each member of the health committee.

SHOW UP IN TRENTON!!

With testimony ready! Make plans to be in Trenton Thursday, April 5, 2018

Read below for comprehensive details on what is happening and what needs to get done!

We have some frustrating news. Last night after 5pm the Assembly Health Committee posted an agenda for next Thursday, April 5, 2018. Included in the agenda is bill A3818. At this time there is no language available for this bill. We suspect that it will be similar to S2173, the bill that seeks to “Clarify statutory exemptions from mandatory immunizations for students”. The assembly version of the bill has not been officially introduced yet and there is no language for the assembly version of the bill. However, the senate version is available for review and we have reason to believe that they will be identical. http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/S2500/2173_I1.HTM
When making phone calls please use the A3818 number.

This is a major bill impacting families.

To give such short notice on a bill that we can’t even read during a holiday week when many families take advantage of spring break really diminishes one’s trust in our government. According to the laws, 5 business days are required before hearing a bill. While this is frustrating, Dr. Conaway is not a stranger to bending the rules. We have to assume at this point that this bill will be heard on Thursday, April 5 and WE NEED TO BE THERE IS BIG NUMBERS!

THIS SITUATION REQUIRES ALL HANDS ON DECK!

We have told many of you that we would indicate which days were absolutely critical for all to take action and THIS IS ONE OF THOSE DAYS. We have had small groups of people in Trenton consistently for the past 2+ years and we now need a very large gathering of people. The fact that they posted this bill on the Thursday before Easter/ Spring break represents such poor judgement. We must bring this point up to all members of the committee.

If you are around, next Thursday, April 5 please, please, please make plans to be in Trenton! Arriving in Trenton around 9am for the 10 am committee meeting would be ideal. Kids are welcome. We need to create as much of a stink about this as possible.

Here’s what needs to be done:

PHONE CALLS

EVERYONE (and all your friends and family) must call each member of this committee. Leave a message.

Example: “I am opposed to A3818. The fact that this bill, which is of significant concern to many families, was posted last minute, before a holiday demonstrates poor faith. People deserve the rights to make medical decisions consistent with their religious beliefs, without the government stepping in to pass judgement of who has “bonafide” religious beliefs and who does not.”

We need to call asking questions. Try to stay calm. “This bill has been introduced right before a holiday weekday and no language is available. It was my understanding that 5 full business days were required to allow for constituent review.”

Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee

Holly Shepisi (39) 201 666 0881 (Holly is aware of this. We need calls from constituents to her office. We don’t need mass phone calls to her office.)

Include a call to the speaker of the Assembly, Craig Coughlin 732 855 7441 – Express how dissatisfied you are that this bill has been posted without language to review and with such short notice.

SEND EMAILS

Send emails expressing your opposition (send individual emails to avoid spam filters).

Example Email:

(to cut and paste and add to)

Dear Assemblyperson,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to A3818. This bill has been posted to the Thursday, April 5, 2018 agenda of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee. This bill proposes to put undue constraints on a person’s ability to act consistently with their religious beliefs. The fact that this bill, which is of significant concern to many families, was posted last minute, before a holiday demonstrates poor faith. People deserve the rights to make medical decisions consistent with their religious beliefs, without the government stepping in to pass judgement of who has “bonafide” religious beliefs and who does not.

Sincerely,
Name
District #
Contact info

SHOW UP IN TRENTON! With testimony ready!

Prepare a short statement (you will probably be given 30 seconds-1min). Prepare it in Letter format. Bring 13 copies for the committee members and give to the committee aid before your testimony. When you arrive at the hearing, register on the little slip of paper and indicate the bill number, your opposition and if you would like to testify.

We need to take action NOW! EVERYONE!

This is not optional! If you are concerned about vaccination choice and the religious exemption you MUST be heard NOW.