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Senate approves bill limiting DCS placement rules for vaccinated households after safety debate
Summary
The Senate passed House Bill 22-57 on April 14 after debate about child-safety and foster placement policy. Opponents warned the bill could increase risk to infants and toddlers; supporters said it protects parental choice. The measure passed and was transmitted to the House.
The Senate voted to pass House Bill 22-57 on April 14; the measure changes Department of Child Safety (DCS) placement rules related to vaccination status for households taking foster children. Lawmakers debated child-safety, medical risk, and placement logistics before the clerk closed the roll call.
Senator Kubey argued against the bill on public-health grounds. "This bill, should it be enacted, ... would be a danger for babies and toddlers from 0 to 5," Kubey said on the floor, noting current DCS policy and concerns from pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics. She added that at present, no child ages 0–5 in DCS care is unable to be placed in a fully vaccinated home.
Senator Gonzalez also voted no, warning that medically vulnerable children could be exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases and invoked recent measles outbreaks as context. Supporters of the bill argued it preserves family choice in caregiving placements.
The clerk recorded the roll and the bill passed by the recorded vote indicated on the Senate floor; the secretary was instructed to transmit the measure to the House. Floor debate included references to statements from medical organizations and questions about potential legal and fiscal consequences; no floor amendments were recorded on the transcript.
