Today was Day 41 of the Legislative Session and the House rejected Senate Bill 460. The amended bill would have updated the medical exemption process for immunizations, required reporting of those medically exempt, and provided for a religious exemption, but still allowed private schools to set their own policies.
The over two-hour debate ended with a vote of 42 in favor and 56 opposed. Many opponents mentioned their support for the first part of the bill, which came from the Health Committee before being amended on Friday. They stated they could understand strengthening the medical exemption process, however, the concern lay with the unregulated religious exemption. One delegate mentioned that not all religious exemptions are created the same. He mentioned other states have a process requiring reporting and an avadavat requiring individuals to put some effort into the exemption process. Other opponents spoke of personal experiences with vaccines and how they had friends, family, and colleagues with disabilities after suffering from polio. Many mentioned the measles outbreak in Texas with one delegate mentioning how one in 20 kids with measles will get pneumonia.
Opponents stressed how robust West Virginia’s immunization requirements are. Some delegates spoke about how at age two West Virginia’s vaccination rate is low, but due to the requirements, by age five over 90 percent of children are vaccinated. Members stated that immunizations are important in protecting everyone, especially those who cannot get the vaccines, such as the immunocompromised, the elderly, babies, and pregnant women. Multiple opponents stated in one way or another that personal freedom does not give someone the liberty to expose others to communicable diseases. Opponents also mentioned a poll that reported that over 80 percent of West Virginias think vaccines are safe and needed.
Proponents of the bill stated that it’s about personal choice and allowing parents to control their child’s health. Some proponents stated while they would still vaccinate their children under this bill, they believe others should be able to decide that on their own. They also spoke on how the current medical exemption process is inadequate. Some proponents spoke of their personal experiences with vaccine injury. They stated that vaccines have changed over the years and what’s in each vaccine isn’t always disclosed to parents when a child gets vaccinated.
Another delegate spoke from the perspective that since 1986 pharmacy corporations have immunity if a vaccine harms a child. He stated that current vaccines are “untested and unverified.” Another proponent asked if vaccines are safe why companies have immunity, and why is there a vaccine injury compensation fund.
Another proponent spoke about not allowing fear to dictate the vote. Proponents stated this bill is a critical piece of legislation for religious freedoms. A delegate stated the bill was about “freedom, transparency, and fairness.” The proponents stated that parents are being forced to vaccinate their children in order for them to be allowed to go to school, even if it’s against their beliefs.
After rejecting Senate Bill 460, the House continued with the agenda to pass 12 bills.
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow, March 25, 2025.
Committee Meetings, Today March 24
- The Committee on Education will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 432M.
- The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 215E.
- The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 4:30 p.m. in Room 215E.
- The Subcommittee on Energy and Public Works will meet at 5 p.m. in Room 410.
Committee Meetings, Tomorrow, March 25
- The Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 460.
- The Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Room 410.
- The Rules Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. in Room 215E.
- The Committee on Education will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 432M.
- The Committee on Government Organization will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 215E.
- The Subcommittee on Energy and Public Works will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 410.
- The Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Room 215E.
