Beacon Hill lawmakers are actively engaged in advancing legislation on Friday that aims to remove religious vaccination exemptions for children entering K-12 schools. This move comes as part of a series of bills under consideration by the Legislature's Public Health Committee. According to an email obtained by the Herald, these bills are set to be approved and sent to the House during a period when controversial legislation is typically not on the agenda.
Key Players and Their Stances
The two Democratic chairs of the committee, Sen. Julian Cyr of Provincetown and Rep. Marjorie Decker of Cambridge, have recommended a favorable report for this measure. Rep. Andy Vargas, a Haverhill Democrat and the chief sponsor of the bill, did not offer a comment when contacted by the Herald. However, at a 2023 legislative hearing, Vargas pointed out the "rapid rise" in religious exemption usage since the 1980s while religious affiliation has been declining. He emphasized that "the spirit of the law is being violated" and cited evidence from other states showing that removing religious exemptions leads to increased vaccination rates without affecting school attendance.Current State Law and Exemptions
State law mandates that parents or guardians of school-going children submit a physician's certificate proving immunization against various communicable diseases. A child can be exempted if a physician deems their health at risk from vaccinations or if a parent or guardian writes in writing that vaccinations conflict with their "sincere religious beliefs." But the bill in question would eliminate this religious exemption option. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Public Health to issue an annual public report on the total number of immunized students and those with medical exemptions.Criticism and Opposing Views
Rep. Marc Lombardo, a Billerica Republican, criticized the proposal, stating that religious exemptions for school-aged children are a "longstanding" option in Massachusetts. He argued that "we don't force people based on religious beliefs to take certain actions at the penalty of being excluded from K-12 private or public institutions." Lombardo believes that "religious freedom is a foundation of our nation and here in Massachusetts, we shouldn't trample on it." At the 2023 hearing, Vargas maintained that his bill is constitutional, citing the Supreme Court's decision on the constitutionality of mandatory vaccination laws. He hopes that Massachusetts will follow the lead of neighboring states and remove the religious exemption as well.Other Vaccine-related Bills
The Public Health Committee is also in the process of moving three other bills related to vaccines and "community immunity" and two measures covering a "coordinated stroke care system." These additional bills highlight the committee's comprehensive approach to healthcare issues.New
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