MARLBORO, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin are serious about keeping parents in the dark if their children switch their genders in public school settings in New Jersey. The Murphy administration is suing several school districts that recently enacted policies that would require the district to inform parents if their children make a gender-altering decision in school.
In response to Governor Phil Murphy’s recent remarks on Face the Nation, Senator Joe Pennacchio has voiced strong opposition to the idea of suing school districts to prevent parental notification regarding matters concerning the well-being of their children.
During the televised interview, Governor Murphy defended the decision to sue school districts over their parental notification policies. However, Senator Pennacchio, representing the Republican party in District 26, vehemently contested this approach, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement, especially in sensitive matters affecting their children.
“The LGBTQ community has acknowledged that up to 50% of children who experience sexual dysphoria or question their sexual identity may contemplate suicide,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Parents shouldn’t find out when their children are in the hospital, or worse yet in the morgue, that they have been struggling with these serious issues. Parents who have cared for their children since birth should not be kept in the dark when their children are at risk.”
During the interview, Governor Murphy declined to directly address a comment from a school board attorney in Marlboro, who contended that withholding information from parents regarding such issues violates their constitutional right to direct and control their children’s upbringing.
Senator Pennacchio reaffirmed his support for the Hanover Township Board of Education, which is currently facing a lawsuit from the Murphy administration due to its parental notification policy. He commended the board’s commitment to engaging parents and keeping them informed about any issues that could potentially harm their children.
Pennacchio further asserted that the overwhelming majority of parents love their children and want to support them through any challenges they may face. He expressed disappointment in Governor Murphy’s apparent lack of trust in parents’ ability to care for their own children.
The debate over parental notification policies continues to spark heated discussions across New Jersey, with advocates highlighting the importance of open communication between schools and parents, and opponents raising concerns about potential privacy and legal implications.