Below are eight states that have introduced bills this year to support stricter vaccine requirements. Note: This is not an exhaustive list.
1. Washington state senators on April 17 passed legislation that would make it harder for parents to achieve personal or philosophical exemptions for the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine in children.
2. Florida lawmakers introduced a bill that would require healthcare professionals to report immunizations to a state registry.
3. A bill in the Oregon state legislature would bar parents from seeking nonmedical vaccine exemptions for their children, reports NPR.
4. Colorado lawmakers were reviewing a bill that would’ve made it more difficult for parents to achieve a vaccine exemption for a child, but the legislation died on the Senate floor May 2, according to The Denver Post.
5. Maine lawmakers introduced a bill that would remove philosophical and religious exemptions from school vaccination laws, reports the Portland Press Herald.
6. New York is examining a bill that would no longer permit parents or guardians with “genuine and sincere religious beliefs” against immunizations to receive exemptions for children, reports The New York Times. A second bill introduced in the Senate in March would allow any child 14 years or older to receive vaccinations, regardless of their parents’ wishes.
7. New Jersey lawmakers in February drafted an amended bill that would only permit children to forgo vaccinations for medical reasons, reports NJ Spotlight.
8. Connecticut also has draft legislation that would ban religious vaccine exemptions, according to the Connecticut Post.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
How hospitals are preventing device-related infections
Genetically engineered viruses treat superbug infection for 1st time
San Francisco subpoenas pediatrician over vaccine exemptions
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.