The California Assembly Just Approved One of Nation’s Strictest Mandatory Vaccine Laws
Months after a virulent measles outbreak spread from one Disneyland visitor to more than 100 California residents, the state that’s been described as an “anti-vaccination hotbed” is poised to pass one of the nation’s toughest laws requiring immunizations.
The bill approved by the California assembly Thursday strikes down the state’s personal belief exemption, which allows parents to opt their children out of vaccinations for religious reasons. Under the new rules, only children with serious health problems (such as a compromised immune system) would be exempt from mandatory vaccination schedules, and those who opt out will have to be homeschooled.
The legislation now goes to California Gov. Jerry Brown (D). According to the Los Angeles Times, it’s unclear if Brown will sign it.
“The governor believes that vaccinations are profoundly important and a major public health benefit, and any bill that reaches his desk will be closely considered,” Evan Westrup, Brown’s spokesperson, told the Times Thursday.
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