Two separate proposed bills are causing parents distress.
One would give children 13 years old and up the ability to make vaccination decisions without their parents' consent, and the other would allow religious exemptions for school immunization requirements.
Democrat Rep. Kevin Ryan, the representative of Connecticut's 139th District of Bozrah, Montville and Norwich, proposed Bill No. 5480 in this year's legislative session. It would give children from ages 12 and older the right to be vaccinated for COVID, HPV, and others, even without the permission of their parents and guardians, Eyewitness News 3 reported.
Ryan stated that the issue is an important concern of his constituents. Thus, as a representative, he is doing his duty to "express their requests and ensure their concerns have been taken seriously," especially since the issue is on health care.
An 'overreach'
Republican Minority Leader in the House Rep. Vinnie Candelora believes that the bill is a step too far and is a "disturbing" intervention in parent and child relationships.
"It's a road that Connecticut keeps trying to push, the Democrats keep pushing this issue and I think it's really important to have parents involved in their child's lives so I find the proposal very disturbing," Candelora emphasized.
Parents agree with her.
Parent Brenda C. expressed that the bill is not a good idea. Another parent, Chanti Carter, stated that children should not be making those kinds of big decisions.
Tymeir Williams declared that parents need to be notified, and parents need to permit something if it involves touching the children.
Parent Maribeth Marchi also proclaimed that 12-year-olds have "no business making a decision," regardless if it is about vaccination or other health-related concerns.
However, according to NBC Connecticut, other community members are expressing support for the bill, stating that children should be given the right to make decisions about their health.
Brenna Zysk of Windsor expressed that it is suitable for kids to have the option to be vaccinated if they want to, especially if their parents are against it.
Thulani David of Hartford also said that it is important for kids to have and make their opinions and be heard.
Religious exemption from immunization
On another note, a separate bill proposed in this year's legislative session is one introduced by Rep. Mark DeCaprio.
Proposed H.B. No. 5191 would allow students to "assert" religious exemption from the attending school's requirement for immunization.
According to DeCaprio, he is proposing the bill to support his constituents who had older children excluded from having the religious exemption but have younger ones who are not eligible.
It could be recalled that Gov. Ned Lamont signed a new law in 2021 that removed the exemptions if they were non-medical.
While other parents worry about the health risk that unimmunized students will bring due to the bill, parent Maribeth Marchi expressed support saying that people having their own beliefs deserve to be "recognized as they have been for years beforehand."
The two bills are now under the General Assembly's Committee on Public Health. It has been reported that there are over 3000 bills proposed yearly, and most of them do not even make it to a hearing. Thus, it depends on the Public Health Committee whether these proposals move forward.
