HSLDA News	February 11, 2002

Missouri, West Virginia Look to Expand Parental Immunization Rights

Legislators in Missouri and West Virginia have introduced bills that would expand parental rights in medical issues-specifically increasing parents' freedom to determine what, if any, immunization is necessary for their children.

House Bill 1591 and Senate Bill 951 in Missouri would expand current exemptions to mandatory immunization. H.B. 1591, sponsored by Representative Merrill Townley, would change the current language, which only permits objections for religious or medical reasons, to add "philosophical beliefs" (accompanied by a notarized statement). S.B. 951, sponsored by Senator John Loudon, would allow parents to simply object in writing for any reason.

In West Virginia, Senate Bill 139, sponsored by Senators Andy McKenzie and Edwin Bowman, would add a provision to the mandatory immunization law. Parents who have religious objections or who object "for good cause," could choose to exempt their children from the required immunizations.

While Home School Legal Defense Association does not take a official position on whether or not parents should immunize, we do believe that each parent should be free to make this decision without state coercion. Therefore, we believe that these bills should be supported.

For more information on HSLDA's position, please click here:
Immunizations: A Parent’s Choice

Supported by the

Home School Foundation www.homeschoolfoundation.org