Bill Allowing Vaccine Exemptions Passes Senate

A bill that would allow exemptions for vaccine requirements at schools and daycares sparked impassioned debate on the Senate floor before passing on a narrow vote last week.

Senate Bill 474 would require schools, daycares and other organizations that require vaccinations to accept religious and medical exceptions.

Sen. Cora Neumann, DBozeman, opposed the bill. Similar exemptions already exist, which she said would be unsafely expanded under the bill.

“This amended bill, as-is, would create the most permissive exemption policy in the country, and likely drops us below herd immunity for many communicable diseases,” Neumann said.

One of the bill’s carriers, Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls, argued the bill would simply offer more control to parents.

“We’re not going to have a new flood of people seeking exemptions,” Emrich said. “It’s just allowing people one more option.”

Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, introduced an amendment to exclude Tribal Nations from the bill.

She said Tribal law requires vaccination for all students. Sen. Barry Usher, R-Yellowstone County, opposed the amendment.

“If they’re taking our money then they should listen to our laws,” Usher said. “They should not be able to pick and choose when they’re sovereign and when they’re not if they’re taking our funding.”

The amendment failed 2822.

The bill passed 28-21 and now heads to the House for debate.