Remind State Senators of your OPPOSITION to S1759 and ask that they NOT SUPPORT this bill.
S1759 (About The Bill) could be voted on by the Senate on Thursday, February 7th. We should know by Tuesday. We will need people in Trenton for the vote if this is the case. (Even if the bill is not posted, we will want a few people in Trenton to hand out info. and continue our presence.)
In the meantime, please call YOUR state Senator and remind them of your OPPOSITION to S1759 and ask that they NOT SUPPORT this bill. (remember to always be polite and respectful)
You can find your NJ State Senator here: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp.
Also, call Senate President Stephen Sweeney 856-251-9801 and ask him not to post S1759.
- When calling the office indicate that S1759 may be up for a vote on February 7th.
- Remind them that you are a constituent, and the town you live in.
- Tell them you do NOT support S1759 and ask that they OPPOSE or ABSTAIN.
S1759 is discriminatory and cumbersome for parents filing a religious exemption to vaccination and puts the state in the unconstitutional position of judging a family’s religious beliefs. This bill unfairly blames religious parents for vaccine failures and shortcomings. The current religious exemption is adequate and does not need to be changed. email info@njvaccionationchoice.org with any questions and if you are available to go to Trenton on Thursday, February 7th.
Additional talking points:
S1759 = A BAD BILL. IF IT AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT.
If S1759 becomes law, it will create discrimination and constitutional issues. Putting the state in the position to determine what is and what is not a legitimate religious belief is extremely troubling and problematic for the state and parents. The current religious exemption statute is sufficient and not in need of any revision. With S1759, NJ will require a cumbersome and discriminatory process for parents to exercise their right to claim a religious exemption to vaccination. People of faith who currently have a religious exemption could face potential rejection and not be able to send their children to school.
BLAME GAME
Trying to force more people to use vaccines by tampering with religious freedoms will not make the pertussis vaccine more effective. S1759 sponsors say this bill is in response to recent whooping cough outbreaks. However these outbreaks have been among vaccinated populations. The CDC has stated that the current pertussis vaccine is ineffective and does not provide the promised protection because the disease continues to mutate.
Senator, please STAND UP for parents, please PROTECT the exercise of religious freedoms, and please PREVENT constitutional rights violations. DO NOT SUPPORT S1759.
What is Bill S1759 About Again?
Bill S1759 Restricts Our Right to the Religious Exemption.
Here is a link to the bill: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/S2000/1759_I1.HTM
If S1759 is signed into law, it will require parents seeking a religious exemption to:
- specify their exact religious tenets in notarized, signed, and sworn format
- include an explanation of the nature of the religious tenet or practice that is implicated by the “vaccination”
- explain how administration of “the vaccine” would violate, contradict, or otherwise be inconsistent with that tenet or practice
- affirm that the religious tenet is consistently held