Belleville Councilwoman Fights New Jersey Vaccination Bill

BELLEVILLE, NJ — According to Belleville Councilwoman Naomy De Peña, her opposition to New Jersey bill A-3818 isn’t a kneejerk reaction to the great vaccination debate.

“This is about defending parental rights and religious freedom,” the ordained minister from Belleville claimed.

Earlier this week, De Peña announced that she’s been reaching out to state legislators in an attempt to derail the amended bill, which would prevent Garden State parents from refusing vaccinations for their children on “religious” grounds.

The potential law, which can be seen here, has cleared the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee and may see a full Assembly vote as early as Monday, Feb. 25. It would take effect immediately.

The bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr. (Burlington County), a physician and longtime supporter of mandatory vaccination legislation, told NJ Spotlight that A-3818 balances religious freedom and the First Amendment with the public health needs that drive vaccinations.

However, according to De Peña – a former teacher who homeschools her kids – the bill has been amended to propose complete removal of religious exemptions to vaccinations, “forcing parents to vaccinate their children against their will.”

De Peña said that currently, parents can make personal family decisions to legally opt out of vaccinations that directly conflict with their religious principles by filing for religious exemption. But the amended bill will remove this right with no regard to an individual’s religious views, she added.

“I understand the public health aspects of this issue, but removing religious exemptions from this bill, without any explanation or public hearing, infringes on parental rights and religious freedom, which is unconstitutional,” the Belleville councilwoman charged.

De Peña said there are several unanswered questions about the bill that must be addressed:

• “What criteria was used to determine that stripping parents of their religious exemptions was necessary?”
• “Where do we draw the line in removing religious freedom?”
• “What choices do parents have in guaranteeing their children’s access to education without compromising their values?”

“I’ve been in communication with [Assemblyman Herb Conway’s office], who is sponsoring the amendment, as well as [Assemblywoman Shanique Speight], who not only represents Belleville, but sits on the Health Committee,” De Peña said.

“Other states have written mandatory jail time into the law for parents who choose not to inject their children with vaccines against their deeply-held religious beliefs,” De Peña concluded. “I believe this is an example of clear governmental overreach.”

A social media post from De Peña on the subject drew dozens of emotion-laden comments. Seen online:

• “Every child deserves the right to an education regardless of their religious beliefs. This bill takes away that right. A child that is not given the right to be educated unless large amounts of forced (pharmaceuticals) are administered is against this constitutional right and human rights. My child is vibrant healthy and full of life. I will never let them inject these pharmaceutical cocktails into his body. He also deserves a right to be a part of the public space and go to school. As any healthy person, he poses zero threat to the health of others only a threat to the pharmaceutical companies bottom line which never seems to end. Greed is evil and this is pure evil taking over. It is not about public health. Always, always follow the money.”
• “No no no no no… Parents do not and should not have an absolute right to refuse medical treatment for their children based on their religious beliefs. This is why a child who needs a blood transfusion will be given one, despite their parents having a religious objection to it (see court law).”
• “God bless you and thank you for protecting the rights which this country was founded on.”
• “This is idiotic and dangerous. Keep your religion to yourself and stop trying to spark a health crisis.”

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Photo: Belleville Township