KEEP UP THE ADVOCACY

🚨  ACT TODAY  🚨 

Thanks to Greg Quinlan of Center for Garden State Families for sharing the need for a NEW CALL TO ACTION.

On Thursday February 22, at 1PM, a Senate Committee will hear S1188 and S1970 -- two bills that want to LOWER THE AGE OF CONSENT for behavioral health services from 16 years old to 14 or 13 years old. 

The members of the committee will hear public comment and discuss the bill. Then they may hold a vote to determine if it will move onto the whole Senate for a vote. We must take steps to stop it in Committee! 

Below are the details of how to contact the Committee Members and background information to learn more and share with family and friends. Thanks for your continued action to protect parental rights and the innocence of children.

CALL TO ACTION

Many Ways to Help

Bills S1188 and S1970 will be heard by the Senate Health, Human Services, & Senior Citizens Committee on Thursday, Feb 22 at 1 PM in the Statehouse Annex, Committee Room 6, First Floor. 

JOIN TOGETHER IN TRENTON 

The committee members need to see how strongly the parents and people of New Jersey oppose these bills.  You can prepare a 2-3 minute statement to present as testimony at the meeting. In addition, there will be sheets available to sign up to speak or to document your opposition to the bills being presented. Our opposition needs to be on public record. There is parking available at the State House Annex Building and in nearby public parking lots.

DAILY COMMUNICATIONS

TODAY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING  

Contact EVERY MEMBER of the Senate Health, Human Services, & Senior Citizens Committee Tell them to VOTE NO on bills S1188 and S1970 when it is heard in committee. Don't be afraid to express your outrage that medical treatment and procedures can be accessed by minors without parental consent. In addition, no parental notification is needed if a child does access services. You can even call on weeknights and leave messages.  Fill up those voicemails!

CALL & EMAIL ALL the Senate Committee Members

Joseph F. Vitale (732) 855-7441, [email protected]

Troy Singleton (856) 234-2790, [email protected]

Renee C. Burgess (862) 231-6577, [email protected]

Owen Henry (732) 607-7580, [email protected]

Angela V. McKnight (201) 360-2502, [email protected]

Raj Mukherji (201) 626-4000, [email protected]

Holly T. Schepisi (201) 666-0881, [email protected]

Robert W. Singer (732) 987-5669, [email protected]

BILL S1970 HIGHLIGHTS 

Permits minors 13 years of age and older to consent to behavioral health care services.

A minor can consent to treatment for behavioral health care services for mental illness or emotional disorders. This information is considered confidential information between a variety of medical professionals and counseling professionals.  

"Neither the minor nor the minor's physician, professional counselor, nurse, or outpatient health care facility, as appropriate, shall be required to report such treatment when it is the result of voluntary consent." Quote from Bill 1970

Parental, custodian or guardian's consent is NOT necessary before a minor child 13 years old and older can receive hospital services and a variety of other medical services in clinical settings. No notification of services accessed needs to be shared.

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To y(Our) Freedom,

NJStandsUp