New Hampshire Bill to End Mandatory School Vaccinations Faces Upcoming Hearing
In New Hampshire, a legislative committee is set to review a significant bill regarding mandatory school vaccinations. This hearing will take place on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in Room 158 at Granite Place in Concord.
Overview of the Upcoming Hearing on Vaccination Bills
The bill in focus, HB-1811, seeks to eliminate the requirement for vaccinations for children entering school or daycare. If passed, it will treat the Department of Health and Human Services’ vaccination guidelines as mere recommendations.
Key Provisions of HB-1811
- The bill explicitly states that no vaccinations should be mandated under any circumstances by the state of New Hampshire.
- Vaccination recommendations will not be used to deny services or access to children and their families.
Historically, New Hampshire has required vaccinations for certain diseases. Currently, children must be vaccinated against nine diseases as a condition for school attendance. The state previously mandated smallpox vaccinations, a requirement that was lifted following the global eradication of the disease.
Related Proposed Legislation
Alongside HB-1811, the Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee will also review two additional bills:
- HB-1219: This bill aims to ensure that foster homes are not required to administer more vaccinations than public schools, potentially allowing unvaccinated children to enter foster care.
- HB-1022: This proposal outlines the specific language required for parents seeking religious exemptions from vaccination mandates, emphasizing their sincere religious beliefs.
Religious exemptions have been part of New Hampshire’s vaccination policy for years. In the last school year, approximately 4.5% of kindergarteners utilized this exemption. The majority of these proposed bills are sponsored by Republican lawmakers, reflecting a broader trend to challenge vaccination mandates.
Background and Implications
Prominent figures, including Robert Kennedy Jr., have publicly questioned the safety of vaccines, arguing that they pose more risks than the diseases they aim to prevent. His past role as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump bolstered the vaccination opposition movement.
As the state prepares for this crucial hearing, the outcomes could significantly impact public health measures and vaccination rates among children. Stakeholders are closely monitoring the session, which could set a precedent for vaccination policy across the country.
