Panel endorses bill curbing vaccine exemptions for Maine schoolchildren

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https://www.pressherald.com/2019/04/10/maine-bill-requiring-vaccination-for-schoolchildren-approved-by-committee/

The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would eliminate all non-medical exemptions to school-required vaccines. The action comes as Maine grapples with the worst pertussis rate in the nation and measles outbreaks trigger public health crises in Washington state and New York City.

The bill – approved on a 8-5 party-line vote – with all Democrats voting yes and all Republicans opposed – will now go to the full state Legislature for floor votes.

“We have to come down on the side of the greater good,” said Rep. Victoria Kornfield, D-Bangor and co-chair of the committee.

If approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, the new requirements would go into effect for the 2021-22 school year. By then, almost all schoolchildren and children attending day care would be required to have their immunizations to attend school. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Tipping, D-Orono, and Sen. Linda Sanborn, D-Gorham, would eliminate exemptions for vaccines based on philosophic or religious grounds.

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"party line vote"

ugh