Bucco Says AG Should Get Back to Addressing Crime and Car Thefts, Not Injecting Government Between Parents and Kids

In response to a lawsuit filed by the attorney general against multiple school districts over parental notification policies, Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said that the government should stay out of the parent-child relationship, let parents raise their own children, and get back to addressing rising crime.

“It’s ridiculous that while criminals are breaking into homes and stealing cars out of our driveways, the State attorney general continues to focus on identity politics. The Murphy administration has made it clear that they are more focused on activist lawsuits that limit the rights of parents to know what’s going on with their children at school than crime and public safety,” said Bucco (R-25). “This lawsuit is an obstruction of parental rights. Schools should have the ability to implement policies that parents and teachers feel are appropriate for their children. Governor Murphy and the attorney general should not be standing in their way.”

Attorney General Matt Platkin targeted three Monmouth County school districts in a lawsuit alleging that their parental notification policies are violating state law. The judge overseeing the case ruled in favor of the AG’s injunction preventing the schools from implementing the policies. A broader resolution to the AG’s lawsuit could take months to settle.

According to one article, Judge Bauman questioned the plaintiffs regarding a hypothetical involving a young student. “What if a [transgender] student is 5 years old,” Judge Bauman asked. “I think we can all agree there is a constitutional right for parents to oversee the upbringing of their children. What do you think?” The attorney’s representing the AG responded saying, “That issue will not come up as much with a 5-year-old. But we believe, even then, that the policy violates the law.”

Senator Bucco questioned AG Platkin about his priorities during his confirmation hearing in 2022. Platkin referred to public safety as his top priority.

“It is clear that the attorney general should be focused on supporting our law enforcement personnel to address issues like crime and car thefts, not getting government in between parents and kids,” Bucco concluded.