Contentious Vaccination Bill Passes Senate Education Committee
SACRAMENTO (CBS SF) - A contentious bill that would do away with the personal belief exemption in California's childhood vaccination law has passed the Senate Education Committee by a 7-2 vote.
SB 277 was authored by Democratic Senators Richard Pan of Sacramento and Ben Allen of Santa Monica, who amended the measure after a vote was delayed last week, when committee members expressed concerns it would deprive unvaccinated children of an adequate education.
Pan made changes, including allowing families that opt out of vaccines to home school their children together and allowing students to seek independent study.
The bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee. It must also make its way through the Assembly before heading to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown.
The bill has generated intense debate, pitting parental rights against public health officials.
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