Senator Joe Pennacchio responded to Governor Phil Murphy’s comments on Face the Nation yesterday that suing school districts is “the right thing to do” to stop parental notification of matters that involve the well-being of 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.”

The governor refused to respond directly when asked about a comment from an attorney for the school board in Marlboro that blocking school officials from telling a parent about these issues is a violation of the constitutional right of a parent to direct and control the upbringing of their children.

Pennacchio reiterated his support for the Hanover Township Board of Education, which is being sued by the Murphy administration over its parental notification policy.

“Hanover is absolutely right to want to engage parents and notify them of anything affecting their kids that might cause them harm,” added Pennacchio. “The overwhelming majority of parents love their children and want to be able to support them no matter what they’re going through. It’s really sad that Governor Murphy doesn’t trust parents enough to take care of their own kids.”