SPONSOR: Pollock (123)
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Downsizing State Government by a vote of 9 to 5. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 9 to 4.
This bill makes changes to existing statute regarding immunization requirements.
Currently, immunization requirements apply to children attending private, parochial, or parish schools. This bill removes such schools from immunization requirements, and instead applies immunization requirements to just public schools.
The bill prohibits the Department of Health and Senior Services from promulgating rules regarding immunization requirements for any immunization not specifically listed in the bill.
The bill allows a student to attend school if he or she can provide evidence of acquired immunity.
The bill clarifies that a student at a public elementary or secondary education school, a public institution of higher education, or a daycare can attend school by submitting a written religious or conscientious belief statement or submitting a religious or conscientious belief exemption form developed by the Department subjected to the description of the form in the bill; the school or daycare cannot require any additional conditions before accepting the exemption.
The bill requires the Department to create an informational brochure that outlines the process for obtaining an exemption to immunization requirements. The Department must also develop a standard religious or conscientious belief exemption form. The brochure and form must be available on the Department's website.
Currently, students of public institutions of higher education residing in on-campus housing are required to get a meningococcal vaccine. This bill changes that requirement to require the vaccine only for students living in publicly-owned property.
Currently, immunization requirements apply to a child attending private or parochial daycare centers, preschool, or nursery schools caring for 10 or more children. This bill removes such schools from immunization requirements, and instead applies the requirements to all public daycare centers, preschools, or nursery schools.
Current law also requires immunizations for such children against any preventable childhood illness specified by the Department; this bill changes the immunization requirement to the same illnesses required to be vaccinated against for public school children.
Currently, a child who does not receive medical treatment for the sole reason of the legitimate practice of religious beliefs of the child's parents cannot be found to be an abused or neglected child. The bill says that a child not receiving immunizations due to religious or conscientious beliefs of the child's parents, cannot be a contributing factor for a finding of abuse or neglect. Additionally, a child not receiving immunizations cannot be a contributing factor in the Children's Division's decision to accept a report of abuse or neglect or to investigate or conduct a family assessment.
The Board of Registration of Healing Arts, within the Department of Commerce and Insurance, cannot initiate a contested hearing or refuse to issue or renew a license on the basis of or in retaliation for any health care provider licensee or applicant providing a medical immunization exemption statement or certification.
This bill is similar to HB 37 (2021).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the vaccines can be harmful and their children should not be forced to get vaccinated for anything. Parents should be able to make decisions for their children. The mandating of vaccines is a government overreach.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Pollock; A. Lynn White; Abby Ellis; Adam R Crouch; Adrienne Jacobsmeyer; Adrienne Mazar; Alanna Ahern; Alexander Steinbock; Alexis Howell; Alicia Gillean; Alisa Maxwell; Allison Whittington; Amanda Cromley; Amanda Ogle; Amanda Walker; Amber; Amber Crawford; Amber Dennison; Amber Mueller; Amber O'Rear; Amber Stinnet; Amber Wagner; Amey McAllister; Amy Perkins; Amy Zimmerman; Andrea R; Andreana Miller; Andrew Craig; Anna Crites; Annette Connor; Anthony Delgado; April Woollard; Ashley Cole; Audra Davis; Audrey Anger; Audrey Newberry; Avery; Becky Woods; Bev Ehlen; Beverley Fries; Beverly Stephenson; Blake Thornton; Bob Painter; Bori Moreno; Bradley W Wood; Brandi Johnston; Brandon Duree; Brandy Adams-Crisel; Brenda S. Hopfer; Brenda Stanley; Brian Robinson; Briana Lynn Holman; Britni Wige; Brittny Gibson; Brooke Michael; Bryce D Koelling; Carl Hines; Carla Grewe; Carlie Bayes Kirschner; Carol Campey; Carol Pitzer; Carole Zumwalt; Caroline Ruth Mueller; Carolyn Spraggs; Carrie Mayberry; Carrie Walker; Cary Peel; Cary Wells; Cassie Smith; Catherine Boero; Catherine Nosovitch; Cathy Engelage; Celeste Williams; Charissa Fuhr; Charles W Jost; Cheryl Bauman; Cheryl Bohl; Cheryl Carter; Christina Barbazon; Christina Kay; Christine Hendricks; Cierra APA; Cindy Casper; Clif Ehlen; Clinton Woodhead; Colette Nicholson; Colleena Stark; Connie Blechle; Corrina Suddarth; Crista Long; Crystal Domagalski; Cynthia L Hoffmeister; Cynthia Mueller Rice; Cynthia Redburn; Cynthia Richards; Cynthia Roubique; Cynthia Tracy; Dale Emily; Damon Dillard; Damon Gamble; Dan Randall; Dana Adams; Dana Granberg-Nill MD FAAFP; Daniel Spell; Danine Preston; Darin Foktz; Dave Myers; David Allen Cox; David Gillean; David Larson; David Lash; David Murphy; David Rea; David Smarr; David Wallace; Dawn Buckner; Dawn Zagarri; Deanna Rhodes-Widmer; Debbie Criswell; Debby Jones; Deborah A Florido; Deborah Dean; Deborah Ferguson; Debra Branstetter; Debra Talbert; Delmmar Mills; Denise Shea; Desiree Darling; Diana Dunne; Diana Ijames; Diane Clark; Diane M Unger, RN; Diane Neff; Dianna Meinecke; Don Grimm; Donna Prather; Dyan Rydholm; Ed Fritz; Edith Rose Bennett; Elisabethe Meyer; Elizabeth Downer; Elizabeth Kusterer; Elizabeth Lin; Elizabeth Morse; Elizabeth Stigall; Emilie Lunt; Erica Dillard; Erica Schiermeier; Erik Bayer; Erin Chupp; Erin Dunn; Erin Hopkins; Erinn Graham; Eugene S. Deggendorf; Fay Owsley; Felix Salazar; Frieda Bacon; Gail Irwin; Gary M Altergott; Gayla Prewitt; Genevieve Seibert; Gerald Labenz; Geri Thwing; Geri Thwing; Grace Bellante; Hannah Burns; Hannah Huff; Harriett Summers; Haven Howard; Haylee Hercules; Hayley Walton; Heather A Stolle; Heather Beem; Heather Brown; Helen Brawley; Hilary Delong; Holly Tucker; Jaime Cheaney; James; James C. Meyer (Jim Meyer); James Pagano; James Rhodes; James Schrader; Jamie Mendoza; Jana J. Johnson; Jane Duvall; Janet Deidrick; Janet E. Peck; Janet Graham; Janet Hennessey; Janet L Harrison; Janet Wilkinson; Jared; Jason P Brown; Jeanne Champer; Jeff Brzezinski; Jeff King; Jen Derkits; Jen Pagano; Jenna Courter; Jenna Yungck Ryrie; Jennell Houts; Jennifer Arnold; Jennifer Brown; Jennifer Coates; Jennifer Gore; Jennifer Ketchum; Jennifer Lowder; Jennifer Reynolds; Jennifer Steelman; Jennifer Wheeler Lofton; Jennifer Woodman; Jennifer Zoellner; Jenny Carter; Jerome Stephen Jacobsmeyer; Jerry Arlon Mercier; Jerry Ellis; Jerry Perry; Jerry Tillinghast; Jessica Grimm; Jessica McLauchlin; Jessica Pierce; Jill Moore; Jill Schweiss; Jim Conrady; Jim Thwing; Jimi Teague; Joan Hoffmann; Jodi Widhalm; Johanna Beaudean; John A. Behr; John Bartin; John Butler; John E Haley; John Giancola; John Gragnani, M.D.,Mph; John M Johnson; John Ryrie; John Stolte; John Zensen; Jolie Duffy; Jordan Steinbock; Joseph K. Michael; Joseph Lee Berube; Josephine Byrne; Jovon Hackworth; Joy Auer; Joy Eakins; Joy Labrie; Joyce; Joyce Jegen; Judith K. Kelch; Judith Mcray; Judy C White; Judy Sofka; Jules Guidry; Julia Lesinski; Julie Arth; Julie Braschler; Julie Crespo; Julie Kopecky; Julie Schaumberg; Justin Arment; Kalissa Wilson; Karan Simone; Karen Aschinger; Karen Bromeier; Karen Compton; Karen Duree; Karen Kim Leydens; Karen Melendy; Karen Smarr; Karol L. Stanley; Karolyn Lahm; Kate Hangge; Katherine Deets; Kathleen E Record; Kathleen Marie Allison; Kathleen Williams; Kathryn Berg; Kathryn Kirk; Kathryn R House; Kathryn S Schoeck; Kathy Baxter; Kathy Casey; Kathy Forck; Kati Smith; Katie Anderson; Katie Belakhoua; Katie Pfotenhauer; Kayla Saballa; Kelli Garms; Kellie Spears; Kelly Bowen; Kelly Floyd; Kenneth Wood; Kermet Mclauchlin; Kerri Howerton; Kerrie; Kevin Derendinger; Kevin Klinkenberg; Kiimberly Peterson; Kim Baker; Kim Chestnut; Kim Edwards; Kim Gardner; Kim Williams; Kimberly Bange; Kimberly D. Fritsche; Kimberly Larson; Kriket Riddle; Kris; Kristen Northcutt; Kristi Robinson; Kristie Bailey; Kristin Mayer; Kristina Ginn; Kristy Prater; Krystal S Rappe; Krystal Stone; Kurt Mcgee; Kyle McCollom; Kyle Theobald; Kylee Boyd; Ladawn Enke; Lakin Bayless; Lara Eckelkamp; Lara Page; Laura A. James; Laura Feldmann; Laura Hausladen; Laura Lenau; Laura Martin; Laura Muehling; Laura Sharp; Lawrence J Frencken; Leesa I. Robinson; Leia Crawford; Lena Mcnamee; Lesley Goodgasell; Lester A. Lamoureux, D.C.; Linda Conrady; Linda Jackson; Linda Reutzel; Linda Suzanne Kohl; Linda Thaut; Linda Tillinghast; Lindi Williford; Lindsay Jones; Lindsay Martin; Lindsay Rapp; Lisa Durnell; Lisa Hemman; Lisa Huke; Lisa Jones; Lisa Lowrance; Lisa Malan; Lisa Peters; Lisa Singleton; Liz Schmidt; Logan Bayless; Louis Lesinski; Luke Crawford; Lynda Altenburg; Lynn Osmack; Lynn Roaseau; M. Nolan; Mackenzie McNamara; Madeleine Vest; Madison Doerhoff; Mallory Hocking; Marcia Behr; Margie Anglen; Marianne Ojile; Marie Debor; Marilyn Roberts; Marilyntermini; Marisa Hagler; Marissa Ferrell; Mark Branstetter; Mark Cascairo; Marlene Kempt; Martha A. Staggs; Martha Phillips; Marvin & Dorothy Phillips; Mary Beth Wittry; Mary C Ruch; Mary Haley; Mary McCormick; Mary Mohler; Matt Hetheriton; Matthew; Matthew Arri; Matthew Crawford; Matthew Mathes; Matthew Ridpath; Maureen Catherine Lauer; Maureen Catherine Lauer; Maureen Schoenwalder; Meagan Nielsen; Megan Lee; Megan Sims; Melinda Branstetter; Melissa; Melissa Hathaway; Melissa M Burton; Melissa Peterson; Melissa Ropp; Melissa Sisk; Melissa Thomas; Melissa Welby; Melody Ball; Mendi Wormington; Merry White; Michael B Porter; Michael Blaine; Michael C Hartman; Michael Davis; Michael J. Devine; Michael Jensen; Michael Mumma; Michael Patrick Rice; Michael Wolford; Michele Smith; Michelle Brandt; Michelle Brungart; Michelle Goldstein; Michelle Jolly; Michelle Martin; Michelle Moberly; Michelle Novara; Mike Moorefield; Moe Double; Montie Calvin; Morgan Jones; Mrs. Shelly Knichel; Myra Kay Hall; Myron Rhoades; Nadine Varga; Nancy Danner; Nancy Osborne; Nancy Ricklefs; Nancy Waser; Nandeelie Smith; Nanette (Nan) Backes; Natalie Scholl; Nelia Aubuchon; Nicholas Manford; Nicole Avery; Niki Cradick; Nikki Mills; Nolan T Robinson; Pamela A Hughes; Pamela L Smith; Pamela Lehman; Patricia Verde; Paula Clark; Paula Fugaro; Paula Juelich; Paula Weems; Phil Williams; Preston Howerton; Rachael O Callaghan; Rachel Anderson; Rachel K Deckerd; Rachel Silvers; Ray F Herron; Rebecca A Boerner; Rebecca Anne Porter; Rebecca Schenck; Rhonda K Ball; Richard Goldstein; Richard Mckie; Richard Schoenborn; Richard Summers; Richard Wayman; Rita Lavanchy; Robert Ballay; Robert Ballay; Robert Louis Emling; Robert Northcutt; Robert Porter; Robyn Baker; Robyn Hamlin; Rodney Farthing; Roger A. Fries; Ronald Beedle; Roni Cooper; Rory Bergman; Rose La Foe; Ross McElvain; Russell A Walker; Rusti Smith; Sabrina Tessereau; Sally Weber; Samantha Schremp; Sami Gross; Sandra Eno; Sandra K. Cole; Sandra Wilde; Sara Barnard; Sara Marcellino; Sarah Mayer; Sarah Reeves; Sarah Trickey; Scott Evans; Sean Melendy; Sharise King; Sharon Jackson; Sharon Melendy; Sharon Pease; Sharron Lelly; Shauna Poggio; Shauna Schoenborn; Shawna Colley; Sheila A Keating; Sheila Johnson; Shelley McCoskey; Shelly Leroy; Sheri Agler; Sheri Kunin; Sheri Lammert; Sherri Adams; Sherry Kuttenkuler Arthaud; Silvia Paletta; Sky Huddleston, Liberator LLC; Sonia Potts; Sophia O Neal; Srildia Devine; Staci England; Stanley Strope; Stanley Strope; Stephanie Diestelkamp; Stephanie Perry; Stephanie Trapp; Stephanie Zensen; Steve Gumpenberger, DC; Steve Moore; Steve Schroeder; Steve Spears; Steve Wolfrom; Steven Sherrod; Susan Brandon; Susan Sansone; Susan Schrader; Susan Taylor; Susanne Boehm; Suzanne Bias; Suzanne Cronin; Suzanne Moran; Suzanne Patterson; Tanya Cato; Tanya Lynn Vitale; Tedi Payne; Teresa Jensen; Teresa Stone; Terry Henderson; Terry Sward; Thomas Melendy; Thomas Whitby; Tiffany Clancy; Tiffany Heggemann; Tiffini Semkin; Tim Bartin; Timothy Brockelbank; Toni Hart; Traci Canby; Tracy Kemp; Tracy McNally; Treasa Henry; Tricia Lavin; Tyna Lukitsch; Uriah Stark; Valery Wright; Vanessa Hagedorn; Veronica Kuschel; Vicki Leuther; Vickie Darlene Heady; Victoria Howerton; Virginia C Campbell; Wayne G. Schaeffer; Wayne Groppe; Wendell E. Brown; Wes Powell; Wesley Haley; Weston D. Ash; Whitney Hickenbottom; Whitney Manford; William Ebeler; William Jud; Yelena Dumay; Zach Peters; Dr. Wesley Scroggins; Emily Maxwell; Jessica Brewer; Mary Murphy; Abby R Wright; Alyssa; Amabel Sloan; Amanda Childs; Amy Krebs; Andrew Ricky Norman; Angela Román; Arlie Crabtree; Ashley Twellman; Barbara Peirick; Beth Bock; Brad Woodle Dc, Ccsp, Fasa, Cscs; Brenda Claflin; Brian K Coulter; Bridgette Nelson; Brielle McGee; Camille Subramaniam; Candice Rae Doerr; Catherine Stegall; Celene Brooks; Christina Taylor; Christopher Lee Stephens; Cynthia Bradburn; Cynthia Samples; Danielle Hopper; Davita Harm; Dawn Wright; Debbie Moore; Deborah Mantonya; Desiray Marie Loza-Blakes; Diane Hines; Elaine Whited; Erika Sommermeyer; Fara Lynn McSpadden; Gary Farrar; Ginny McTighe; Hannah Wyatt; Holly Girgin; Holly Wisner; Janfarrar; Janice Kelly; Janie Osborn; Jennifer Greco; Jeremy Layton; Jo Whitby; Joyce Boren; Julia Jansma; Julie Hulsebus; Karen Banta; Karla Anderson; Katherine Powers; Katherine Smith; Kathie Peterie; Kathleen Burnette; Kathy Davis; Katie Broadus; Kiersten Ferguson; Kim Kelly; Kimberly Warner; Krystin Michelle Bottoms; Laurie Doyle; Leah Callahan; Leanne Dorn; Lindsey Stipes; Lora Clymore; Lori Bourgeois; Malinda Todd; Meghan Roepcke; Melinda Spellerberg; Melissa Wilkerson; Michael S. Nickler; Michele Welker; Mika Jones; Mindi Dowell; Mindy Childress; Monica Robert;
Statutes affected: