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Sponsors:
Representatives Till, Atkins, Bohi, Cheney, Christie, Consejo, Evans, Gilbert, Howrigan, Kitzmiller, Lenes, Masland, Munger, Shand, Townsend, Waite-Simpson |
Sponsors:
Senators Mullin and Kevin |
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Summary:
House Bill 527 would eliminate a philosophical exemption from the requirement that all children attending school and child care facilities receive immunizations specified by the Department of Health. |
Summary:
Senate Bill 199 would eliminate a philosophical exemption from the requirement that all children attending school and child care facilities receive immunizations specified by the Department of Health. If passed, the bill would also extend until 2014 a pilot program having the objective of immunizing all Vermont children. However, the bill as passed by the House includes an amendment that preserves the philosophical exemption. |
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Status:
01/12/2012 (House) Introduced and referred to the Committee on Education |
Status:
01/03/2012 (Senate) Introduced and referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare |
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HSLDA's Position:
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HSLDA's Position:
Vermont’s current law protects parents' right to exempt their children from immunization based not only on religious freedom grounds, but also on philosophical conviction. Senate Bill 199 would coerce parents who had a legitimate philosophical belief against immunizations to innoculate their children. Parents, not the government, should have the right to make medical decisions, such as vaccinating their children, based on their philosophical and religious convictions of what is best for their children. Therefore, we oppose Vermont's effort to remove the philosophical conviction exemption. Additionally, many parents are concerned about the medical risks of vaccinations. Parents must retain the choice of whether or not they will immunize their children. |
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Action Requested:
None at this time |
Action Requested:
None at this time |
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