The local community has expressed opposition to proposed legislation currently under consideration in Albany. If passed, the legislation known as S298B in the State Senate and A2912 in the State Assembly, would require children entering the seventh grade to receive a vaccination for the human papillomavirus (HPV). As a parent and resident of New York, I interpret this proposed legislative agenda as unconstitutional and an infringement upon my parental rights. I have written the following letter to local representatives in Albany as well as all members of both the Senate and Assembly Health Committees.

---

November 1, 2019

Senator Gustavo Rivera

NY State Senate Health Committee Chair

Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried

NY State Assembly Health Committee Chair

Dear Senator Rivera and Assemblyman Gottfried,

            As a father of two school-aged daughters, a life-long New York resident and an active member of the community, recently proposed legislation has created a cause of critical concern for myself and many of my neighbors.  The legislative agenda items requiring students entering the seventh grade to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization––Senate Bill S298B and Assembly Bill A2912A––not only present flawed reasoning as the basis of the proposals but threaten the requirement that “all the children of this state may be educated”, as mandated by the New York State Constitution.

            The recent repeal of the religious exemption in New York for required immunizations signified the common belief that civil liberties do not grant the right to endanger the health and well-being of the community.  Yet, unlike the required immunizations considered during this repeal, HPV is only spread through direct sexual contact.  Recognizing this fact, the absence of parental choice from HPV immunization infringes upon the sanctity of the family relationship.

            Most parents do not debate the effectiveness of HPV immunization. Far less debatable is the attempted legislative overreach of the mandate currently proposed in our state legislature.  Our laws should be written to protect and strengthen the education of our children, not signal to our elected representatives that threatening to withhold a child’s education is an acceptable means to achieve a legislative agenda.

            Raising children should remain the right of parents.  I ask that you use your voice to assist in the removal of these proposals from further consideration and institute a parental opt-out option for all future legislation that pertains to discretionary immunizations.

Sincerely,

Christopher Paolillo

Cc:      Senator Phil Boyle

            Assemblyman Michael Lipetri

            Health Committee Members