Senate Republicans Hold Hearing on Sex Education, State Curriculum Mandates & Parental Rights
New Jersey Senate Republicans livestreamed an independent hearing on sex education, state curriculum mandates, and parental rights on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
During the hearing, Sen. Joe Pennacchio (chair), Sen. Kristin Corrado, Sen. Holly Schepisi, and Sen. Michael Testa had an important discussion with school board members, child health experts, and concerned parents.
Senate Republicans to Hold Independent Hearing on Sex Education, State Curriculum Mandates & Parental Rights
New Jersey Senate Republicans will host an independent hearing on Tuesday, August 23 to discuss sex education, state curriculum mandates, and improving parental rights in education. The virtual hearing will be livestreamed on Facebook Live.
WHO: Senator Joe Pennacchio (Chair), Senator Kristin Corrado, Senator Holly Schepisi, Senator Michael Testa, and invited guests, including school board members, experts, and concerned parents.
WHAT: Virtual hearing to discuss sex education, state curriculum mandates, and improving parental rights in education.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 23 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: A video livestream of the hearing will be accessible to the public and press via Facebook Live from the Facebook page of the New Jersey Senate Republicans. You do not need a Facebook account to watch.
STREAMING LINK: https://www.facebook.com/senatenj
Schepisi Bill that Would Help Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi that would establish minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi that would establish minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services was signed into law today by Gov. Murphy. (©iStock)
“I am pleased that the Governor signed this bill into law. Unlike other Medicaid community-based services, reimbursement rates for brain injury services have remained static in recent years despite growing costs. This threatens the ability of providers to meet the complex needs of individuals with these injuries and provide services within a safe and fulfilling community environment,” said Schepisi (R-39). “Despite the similar model of care, reimbursement rates for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities have not only increased, but have actually been restructured to account for inflationary trends. My legislation will align brain injury service rates with intellectual and developmental disabilities rates to ensure that people with brain injuries can continue to thrive and reach their optimal recoveries in community settings.”
Senate Clears Schepisi Bill that Would Help Individuals with Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries
Legislation sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi that would establish minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi that would establish minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“Unlike other Medicaid community-based services, reimbursement rates for brain injury services have remained static in recent years despite growing costs. This threatens the ability of providers to meet the complex needs of individuals with brain injuries and provide services within a safe and fulfilling community environment,” said Schepisi (R-39). “And yet, despite the similar model of care, reimbursement rates for services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with intellectual and developmental disabilities have not only increased, but have actually restructured to account for inflationary trends. My legislation will align brain injury service rates with intellectual and developmental disabilities service rates to ensure that people with brain injuries can continue to thrive and reach their optimal recoveries in community settings.”
Schepisi & Oroho Introduce “Three Rs” Plan Legislation to Repeal Controversial Sex Ed Mandates
Bill Shifts Control of Sex Education Learning Standards from Unelected Trenton Bureaucrats to Parents & Local Communities
Senator Holly Schepisi and Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho have introduced new legislation that would repeal controversial sex education mandates imposed by the New Jersey State Board of Education and shift control of learning standards in this area to parents and local communities.
Sen. Holly Schepisi and Sen. Steven Oroho introduced legislation repealing controversial sex education mandates imposed by the New Jersey State Board of Education and shifting control to parents and local communities. The bill is part of the Republican “Three Rs” plan. (©iStock)
“The current controversy over the extreme mandates imposed by unelected Trenton bureaucrats demonstrates exactly why we need to empower parents and local communities to control how sex education is taught in their children’s schools,” said Schepisi (R-39). “We believe sex education should be taught to students in an age-appropriate manner that is determined by local school boards in close consultation with parents. Different communities will likely find they have different perspectives on how best to teach sex education, and that’s okay. Under our legislation, they will have the authority to adopt learning standards that best fit the needs and concerns of their students and families without intrusive mandates from Trenton.”
Schepisi and Oroho’s new legislation, S-2524, is a key component of the “Three Rs” plan proposed by New Jersey Senate Republicans to repeal, replace, and restore to fix New Jersey’s controversial sex education and diversity and inclusion curriculum requirements.
Schepisi: School Districts Don’t Really Have a Choice on Sex Ed When Curriculum Mandates Are Handed Down by State Board of Education
Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39) responded to the State Board of Education’s refusal to reconsider or delay controversial new sex education standards that school districts have been mandated to enact through their curricula this fall:
Sen. Holly Schepisi responded to the State Board of Education’s refusal to reconsider or delay controversial new sex education standards that school districts have been mandated to enact through their curricula this fall. (©iStock)
“The Acting Commissioner of Education and certain State Board of Education members are being completely disingenuous when they say there’s no issue and it’s up to school districts to decide how to teach sex education. As they are well aware when they passed the new mandates under the cover of COVID in June 2020, their own resolution states that every school district SHALL adopt in full the standards they set forth. School districts do not have a real choice on sex education as evidenced by the curriculum mandates imposed on them by unelected bureaucrats in Trenton.
Schepisi: NJEA’s “Disinformation Alert” on Sex Ed Curriculum Is Disingenuous Attempt to Dismiss Parents’ Concerns
Senator Holly Schepisi said a “Disinformation Alert” issued by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is a disingenuous attempt to dismiss the concerns of parents that new sex education standards could result in their children being exposed to lessons that are age-inappropriate or in conflict with their values.
Sen. Holly Schepisi said a ‘Disinformation Alert’ issued by the NJEA is a disingenuous attempt to dismiss the concerns of parents about new sex education standards that school districts must implement this fall. (Click for full image)
“The NJEA is being disingenuous at best when they say that sample lesson plans that some parents are being provided by districts are not required by the new state sex ed standards,” said Schepisi (R-39). “The simple fact is that there are only a handful of teaching resources that have been made available, by left-wing groups, that align with and satisfy the new standards. In an effort to comply with the new curriculum requirements for this fall, local school districts will likely feel compelled to pick from the limited menu of options that are currently available, which parents are now learning contains extreme material.”
Panel Approves Schepisi/Testa Bill to Strengthen Emergency Care Levels for Telemedicine
Legislation sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi and Senator Michael Testa that would bolster emergency care standards for telemedicine cleared the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee today.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi and Sen. Michael Testa that would bolster emergency care standards for telemedicine cleared the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee. (Flickr)
“Telehealth and telemedicine are here to stay. Since the pandemic, we have had a significant uptick in the need for timely mental health services while those most needing these services oftentimes are placed on lengthy waitlists for treatment. One tool to address this pressing need is to expand the convenience and benefits of virtual mental health services while providing better avenues for medical professionals to immediately coordinate emergency care for their patients,” said Senator Schepisi (R-39).
Schepisi Calls for NJDOH to Release Data on Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines for Children
NY State Research Shows Benefits ‘Declined Rapidly’ for Kids Ages 5 to 11
After New York State released an analysis of data finding “limited evidence of effectiveness” with rapid decline after less than one month for the COVID-19 vaccine given to young children, Senator Holly Schepisi called on the Murphy administration to be transparent and release similar data for New Jersey.
After New York State released an analysis of data finding “limited evidence of effectiveness” with rapid decline after less than one month for the COVID-19 vaccine given to young children, Sen. Holly Schepisi called on the Murphy administration to be transparent and release similar data for New Jersey. (©iStock)
“Parents wrestling with decisions about getting COVID shots for their children should have access to the latest research, the best evidence about vaccines and their effectiveness,” said Schepisi (R-39). “There’s no reason the Governor should be sitting on hard data and real numbers that will shed light on the effectiveness of vaccines on youngsters. Transparency is essential, especially where children’s health is concerned.”
Schepisi: Murphy’s Latest Executive Order Will Lead to Shortage of Health Care Workers
Senator Holly Schepisi said a new executive order announced by Governor Murphy today eliminating a testing alternative to vaccination and boosters for health care workers will lead to a shortage of doctors and nurses in New Jersey in the aftermath of the Omicron surge.
Sen. Holly Schepisi said a new executive order by Gov. Murphy will lead to a shortage of doctors and nurses in New Jersey in the aftermath of the Omicron surge. (Flickr)
“Doctors, nurses, and other medical caregivers have been fighting this fight against COVID-19 since the very beginning,” said Schepisi (R-39). “After nearly two years, they’re tired, they’re burnt out, and they’re ready for a break. Instead of giving them extra support, they’re getting another new mandate from Governor Murphy that will further thin their ranks and increase the workload of those who remain. It doesn’t make any sense and it certainly won’t be good for patients.”
