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House reconsiders and amends immunization bill to clarify exemption process
Summary
After a successful motion to reconsider, the House adopted Hunsaker amendments to House Bill 9 clarifying where exemption forms are filed and who must witness them; the amended bill passed the House 58–12 and proceeds to the Senate.
Representative Hunsaker moved to reconsider House Bill 9 and presented amendments aimed at clarifying the exemption process for immunizations. Hunsaker told the House the amendments would protect legitimate exemptions while removing arbitrary reasons and ensure forms are filed at the local health department where the student resides.
Hunsaker explained the amendments would require exception forms be filed with the student's local health department and be witnessed by the local health officer or the officer’s designee, and that the Department of Health would provide a printed statement on the form about the benefits of immunization. He said these changes were simple, straightforward and intended to strengthen the bill’s operation.
Representative Atkinson and others raised procedural and substantive points; Representative Atkinson moved particular strikes to language in the pink-sheet amendments that would remove a subsection. After floor discussion and clarifications, members adopted the Hunsaker amendments on the pink sheet dated Feb. 4.
The House then voted on House Bill 9 as amended; the clerk announced the bill received 58 affirmative votes and 12 negative votes and the measure was forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.
