California's Assembly Health Committee on June 20 passed a bill that would crack down on physicians who are handing out inappropriate medical vaccine exemptions, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Four things to know:
1. The bill passed in a 9-2 vote after a heated, five-hour hearing.
2. The legislation would allow state health officials to investigate physicians who approve five or more medical exemptions annually, along with schools with less than a 95 percent vaccination rate.
3. Hundreds of parents attended the hearing to oppose the bill. They say the bill would threaten their medical freedom and hinder the patient-provider relationship. However, the bill's advocates argue it would help keep kids safe and prevent future outbreaks.
4. The bill now heads to the state's Assembly Appropriations Committee for a vote.