HARTFORD, CT – A Democratic lawmaker in Connecticut has introduced a bill that – if passed – would allow children aged 12 and over to receive vaccines without the consent of their parents.
State Rep. Kevin Ryan introduced House Bill 5480 earlier this week which is currently being evaluated by the state House’s health committee, who will determine if it will go to the floor for a vote.
Ryan claimed that the bill is something that the residents in his district have been asking for.
“The legislation proposed is an issue that has been an important concern for my constituent,” he said. “As their representative, it’s my duty to express their requests and ensure their concerns have been taken seriously, especially on a health care issue.”
However, Connecticut State House Minority Leader and Republican Party member Vinnie Candelora was critical of the new bill proposed by Ryan, saying that parents have a right to take an active part in the healthcare decisions of their children and should not be shut out of that process.
“It’s a road that Connecticut keeps trying to push, the Democrats keep pushing this issue and I think it’s really important to have parents involved in their child’s lives so I find the proposal very disturbing,” he said.
Currently, children under the age of 18 in Connecticut require their parents’ permission to receive a vaccine.
A bill similar to Ryan’s was introduced in California by Democratic State Senator Scott Wiener in February 2022, which also would have allowed children aged 12 and over to get the jab without asking their parents; the legislation was rejected during a floor vote, however, with naysayers citing concerns of governmental overreach for their lack of support.
or a specific category with our 
