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Sponsors:
Representatives Bailey, Cody, Hinkle, Appleton, Seaquist, Roberts, Kagi, Jinkins, Johnson, Warnick, Orcutt, Moeller, Pedersen, Billig, Ladenburg, and Van De Wege |
Sponsors:
Senators Keiser, Honeyford, Pflug, Becker, Regala, Carrell, Hobbs, Nelson, Rockefeller, Shin, and Chase |
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Summary:
House Bill 1015 would add a requirement for any parents who wants to exempt their child from immunizations because of their religious beliefs or due to a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization. Under the bill, a parent would have to certify their exemption on a form prescribed by the Department of Health and have a health care practitioner sign it as well. The health care practitioner would have to certify that he or she provided the parent seeking the exemption with information about the benefits and risks of immunization to the child. House Bill 1015 may cause parents with religious or philosophical objections to immunizations unnecessary hardship to claim their exemption as there will be nothing to prohibit their health care practitioner from refusing to sign the form out of a disagreement with the parents beliefs. Parents are required to submit proof of immunization or a medical, religious, or philosophical exemption to immunization if their child attends a public or private school. Homeschool students, either reporting as a home-based education student or enrolled in an extension program of a private school, are not required to show proof of immunization unless they attend the public or private school. This bill has passed the House but is slightly different than the Senate companion bill, SB 5005. |
Summary:
Senate Bill 5005 would add a requirement for any parents who wants to exempt their child from any immunizations because of their religious beliefs or due to a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization. Under the bill, a parent would have to certify their exemption on a form prescribed by the Department of Health and have a health care practitioner sign it as well. The health care practitioner would have to certify that he or she provided the parent seeking the exemption with information about the benefits and risks of immunization. Senate Bill 5005 may cause parents with religious or philosophical objections to immunizations unnecessary hardship to claim their exemption as there will be nothing to prohibit their health care practitioner from refusing to sign the form out of a disagreement with the parents beliefs. Both the Senate and the House have passed SB 5005 but each passed slight different versions of the bill. Therefore, they will have to reconcile these version before the bill can be sent to the Governor. Parents are required to submit proof of immunization or a medical, religious, or philosophical exemption to immunization if their child is attending a public or private school. Homeschool students, either reporting as a home-based education student or enrolled in an extension program of a private school, are not required to show proof of immunization unless they attend the public or private school. |
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Status:
12/13/2010 Prefiled for introduction. |
Status:
12/13/2010 Prefiled for introduction. |
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HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA is opposed to this bill as it seeks to restrict the right of parents to determine what is in the best interest of their children regarding their immunizations. |
HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA is opposed to this bill as it seeks to restrict the right of parents to determine what is in the best interest of their children regarding their immunizations. |
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Action Requested:
None at this time |
Action Requested:
1) Please call and email your state senator and representative as well as the legislative leadership listed below and give them this message in your own words: "Please oppose Senate Bill 5005. This bill will impose an undue burden on parents with a religious, philosophical or personal objection to immunizations by forcing them to have a health care provider sign off on their personal convictions. Parents should be able to consult with their medical providers and make their own decision on the immunization of their children without having to get their provider's signature as well. Releasing the health care provider from liability for signing the certificate of exemption is not enough. Senate Bill 5005 should not be passed." You do not need to identify yourself as a homeschooler or reveal your affiliation with any organization; instead you can identify yourself as a concerned parent and constituent. To find the contact information for your state senator or state representative visit HSLDA's Legislative Toolbox. Washington Legislative Leadership Senate Majority Leader Senate Majority Floor Leader Senate Republican Leader Senate Republican Floor Leader House Speaker House Majority Leader House Majority Floor Leader Minority Leader Minority Floor Leader |
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Background:
House Bill 1015 has passed the House but has not passed the Senate. However, While homeschool parents will not be affected by House bill 1015, |
Background:
Senate Bill 5005 has passed both the Senate and the House. However, While homeschool parents will not be affected by Senate Bill 5005, |
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