Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

July 2020 – On April 28, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) of Connecticut signed House Bill 6423, a bill removing the state’s religious exemptions for immunizations. The law will be effective for the 2022-23 school year. Both public and private schools and day care centers will fall under the purview of the new legislation which requires “immunization … before being permitted to enroll in any program operated by a public or nonpublic school under its jurisdiction.”

Parents of multiple faiths, including Greek Orthodox, Catholic, and Muslim, as well as two organizations, We the Patriots USA (WTPUSA) and CT Freedom Alliance (CTFA), filed a federal lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.

“We think it’s an absolutely abhorrent piece of legislation,” said Brian Festa, attorney with WTPUSA and CTFA. “This law strips over 8,500 school children of their religious freedom and their fundamental right to an education.”

A temporary restraining order has been requested to put the new law on hold while the litigation unfolds.

cga.ct.gov; portal.ct.gov, 4/28/21; onenewsnow.com, 5/5/21