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New Vaccination Bills in NYS Legislature
Dear Friends,
Thanks to the enlightened leadership of Assembly Member Dick Gottfried and State Senator Frank Padavan, NYers concerned about religious freedom and patient rights
regarding mandated vaccination have the opportunity to support the restoration of some of our rights and freedoms. To do this, you are urged to act immediately to support the two bills they have
introduced which would amend the present vaccination laws:
The first bill, the "Religious Exemption" bill, is intended to protect people in the free exercise of their religion from inappropriate and intrusive inquiry into their religious beliefs by government authorities. The parents (or guardians), or the adult student, may file an affidavit stating that he/she/they hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the
practice of vaccination, without being subject to further inquiry.
People who have experienced excessive intrusion are particularly encouraged to speak up. The Senate bill number is
S4693 (full
text here). The bill
in the Assembly is A08383 (full
text here).
The second bill, the "Physician Prevail" bill, is intended to ensure that the professional judgment of a student’s physician or nurse practitioner will prevail concerning immunization of the student. It would be
particularly helpful if
MDs and NPs weighed in with their support.
The Senate bill number is S4692 (full
text here). The bill in the Assembly is A08382 (full
text here).
Senator Padavan has introduced his bills without circulating for sponsorship; however, Senators can still sign on to them. It is particularly important for constituents to contact members of the Health Committees, as this is where the the bills will be first, before going to the floor for a vote. Health committee members are listed below.
Under the present circumstances, even if your child's religious exemption
to vaccination has been "granted," there is no guarantee that it will remain as such. Parents have reported to NYVIC that when their child has moved on to middle or high school, their status has been subject to review and that there is increasing questioning of the "sincerity" of their religious beliefs.
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