House votes to reject bill that would restore religious vaccine exemptions; judgeship case cited

The Maine House on a roll call rejected the bill to reinstate religious exemptions for school immunization requirements, accepting the committee—s majority "ought not to pass" recommendation by a 73-67 vote.

Supporters of keeping the current law argued the change would reduce vaccination rates and increase infectious disease risk; opponents said federal court rulings and constitutional concerns require restoring a religious exemption.

Representative Lyman, who requested a roll call and spoke in opposition to the pending motion, said lawmakers must carefully weigh changes that may expand public funding to private schools and reduce public input on school district reorganization. "Any expansion of public funding to private institutions should be carefully considered and include robust accountability measures," Lyman said.

Representative Zager of Portland, speaking for the motion to oppose reinstating religious exemptions, framed the debate around public health. "Vaccines are a cornerstone of what has saved children's lives," Zager said, and pointed to Maine—s kindergarten vaccination rate climbing above 95 percent after the 2019 law that limited exemptions.

Those pressing to restore religious exemptions repeatedly cited the pending federal case Fox v. Macon. Representative Drinkwater from Milford cited the court—s decision declining to grant the state summary judgment and quoted the opinion that a law may be "not neutral" if it singles out religion. She argued the court found a plausible free-exercise claim and that strict scrutiny could apply.

House members also debated related statutory and constitutional authorities. Speakers referenced the Maine Human Rights Act and federal decisions going back to Jacobson v. Massachusetts and Prince, which have historically upheld public-health vaccination measures, while Fox v. Macon is currently proceeding in federal court in Portland.

The House vote accepted the committee—s recommendation that the bill "ought not to pass," sending that recommendation to the Senate. The outcome leaves Maine—s current school immunization law unchanged pending further legislative or judicial action.

Lawmakers who discussed the bill emphasized competing obligations: protecting public health through high vaccination coverage and ensuring religious-liberty claims are consistent with state and federal constitutional protections. The transcript shows extended debate, multiple roll calls, and references to testimony from the American Academy of Pediatrics and legal experts.

The measure counted 73 yeas and 67 nays on the roll call. No further instructions to staff or referrals were recorded on the floor during the vote.