CNS PHOTO | JESSICA RINALDI, REUTERS The Gardasil vaccine is given to protect against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a sexually transmitted disease

The California Catholic Conference is urging Californians to call Gov. Jerry Brown Jr. and urge him to veto legislation that would allow children 12 and older to be vaccinated against sexually transmitted disease without parental consent or knowledge.

"It's just one more assault on parental rights," said Carol Hogan, spokeswoman for the California bishops' policy arm.

Already children 12 and older may obtain an abortion or procure contraception without parental knowledge or consent in California, Hogan noted.

They may also be treated for sexually transmitted disease without parental consent.

The new legislation, if signed by the governor, would add another item to the list, Hogan said.

The bill would allow children to consent to treatment with the controversial Gardasil vaccine intended to prevent human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease linked to cervical cancer.