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You can make public comment on the NJ Dept of Health as many times as you want. We need to flood the public comment process. The deadline is November 14, 2025.

The Department has released a 320-page document outlining changes to the health codes for Communicable Diseases. We read it for you and with the help of members of the coalition, wrote several sample letters. Read through them -they are short- to familiarize yourself with the extent of the potential impact of the proposed changes, which:  

• Expand surveillance and data collection of NJ residents.
• Allow private schools to discriminate against students whose religious beliefs prevent vaccination.
• Weaken parental and religious protections.
• Permanently shield records from public access.
• Concentrate power in the DOH Commissioner’s office with limited oversight.

SAMPLE LETTERS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Review the 320 page document by selecting Rule Proposal 8:57

Note on how to read the document: omissions are in square brackets; [...], and additions are in bold.

These proposed changes represent an egregious overreach threatening parental rights, human rights, and  transparency. If allowed to stand, they could enable discrimination, restrict educational access, and conceal crucial information from the public, leaving government agencies free to act without oversight.

1. Ask your legislators to also submit public comment. Refer them here.
2. Inform them that we want a public hearing and to prepare for one. The "administrative branch" as the NJDOH via health codes is creating the framework for a bio-surveillance state. 

SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR LEGISLATORS IN ONE CLICK

Contact the Public Health Council who is the only entity where the public can engage with the NJ Department of Health. According to the NJ.gov website "The Council ensures the reasonable protection of the health of the public-at-large; reviews and consults with the Commissioner regarding the regulations for the State Sanitary Code; reviews the administration of funds under the Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977."

You can use the Sample Letters as a starting place to share your concerns with members of the council.

Make a phone call to 609-376-0976 and send an email to phs@doh.nj.gov.

According to the New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association, “Local Boards of Health in New Jersey are responsible for ensuring the  development and implementation of public health policy and programs in  communities.”  Therefore, as engaged residents, it is important to question, comment, and provide feedback at the local level. These policies affect all local school districts, businesses, and households. You can use the Sample Letters as a starting place to share your concerns with your local health officer.

FIND YOUR LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH HERE (Search by county and then town as needed)

It is important we take control of this conversation and inform the legislators sitting on the Health Committee.

1. Ask the members to also submit public comment. Refer them here.
2. Inform them that we want a public hearing and to prepare for one. The "administrative branch" as the NJDOH via health codes is creating the framework for a bio-surveillance state. 

FIND MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE HERE ⟵ choose the committee name from the drop down list and call each member.

FIND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES & SENIOR CITIZENS ⟵ choose the committee name from the drop down list and call each member.

Grab any of the social media images below (take a screen shot, or right click and save as a .png), and post them with the following content:

The Department has released a 320-page document outlining  changes to the health codes for Communicable Diseases. The proposed changes:  

• Expand surveillance and data collection of NJ residents.
• Allow private schools to discriminate against students whose religious beliefs prevent vaccination.
• Weaken parental and religious protections.
• Permanently shield records from public access.
• Concentrate power in the DOH Commissioner’s office with limited oversight.

TIME-SENSITIVE ACTION

1. Read sample public comments addressing each concern: https://standforhealthfreedom.com/nj-doh/
2. Follow the instructions and submit public comments. You can submit daily. 
3. Inform your state legislators - ask them to submit public comment and prepare for a public hearing: https://standforhealthfreedom.com/actions/nj-health-reg/
4. Share with everyone!