New Jersey Bills S2173 and A3818 “Exemptions from Mandatory Immunizations”
By Mary Holland, CHD Legal Counsel
On Thursday, December 12, the New Jersey Senate Health Committee will hold a hearing on bill S2173 that would repeal the religious exemption to vaccination. If the bill passes out of the 10-member committee, the bill would advance to a vote before the entire Senate and Assembly, possibly as early as Monday, December 16. The text of the bill is identical to A3818.
S2173 would take effect immediately and would eliminate all non-medical exemptions. It would leave guidelines for medical exemptions to state health authorities. Judging by California, New York and Maine, such medical exemptions would be exceedingly narrow.
The bill contains no carve-outs for special needs students entitled to a free and appropriate public education under federal law. There are no carve-outs for private, religious schools. There is no upper-age limit for the repeal. Unlike New York or California laws, the New Jersey law would apply to higher education. Thus, under the terms of the law, a 60-year old taking a cooking class at a community college could be required to prove vaccination status before enrollment. This could include even online courses at any institution of higher education in New Jersey.
Those concerned for health freedom and vaccine safety should be gravely concerned about the breadth and potential impact of New Jersey’s S2173.
CHD will be providing updates on the situation in New Jersey. Other sources include the New Jersey Coalition for Vaccine Choice and Stand for Health Freedom.
Senate Health Committee Members and Contact Information:
Loretta Weinberg (D-37) [Bill Sponsor – not on committee]
(201) 928-0100 / senweinberg@njleg.org
545 Cedar Lane Teaneck, NJ 07666
Joe Vitale (D-19) [Bill Sponsor]
732-855-7441 / senvitale@njleg.org
569 Rahway Ave. Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Fred Madden (D-4)
856-232-6700 / 856-401-3073 / senmadden@njleg.org
129 Johnson Road, Suite 1, Turnersville, NJ 08012
1379 Chews Landing Rd. Laurel Springs, NJ 08021
Vin Gopal (D-11)
732-695-3371 / sengopal@njleg.org
802 West Park, Suite 221, Ocean Twp., NJ 07712
Joseph Lagana (D-38)
201-576-9199 / senlagana@njleg.org
205 Robin Rd., Suite 122, Paramus, NJ 07652
Richard Codey (D-27)
973-535-5017 / sencodey@njleg.org
66 W. Mount Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ 07039
Kristin Corrado (D-40)
973-237-1360 / sencorrado@njleg.org
999 Riverview Dr., Suite 350, Totowa, NJ 07512
Ronald Rice (D28)
973-371-5665 / senrice@njleg.org
1044 South Orange Ave., Newark, NJ 07106
Robert Singer (R-30)
732-987-5669 / sensinger@njleg.org
1771 Madison Ave., Suite 202, Lakewood, NJ 08701
James Holzapfel (R-10)
732-840-9028 / senholzapfel@njleg.org
852 Highway 70, Brick, NJ 08724
Anthony Bucco (D-25)
973-927-2526 / senbucco@njleg.org
1040 Route 10 West, 1st Floor Randolph, NJ 07869
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