State lawmakers pushing for laxer vaccine rules despite measles outbreaks

By VICTORIA COLLIVER03/03/2019 07:05 AM ESTMeasles is spreading from New York to Texas to Washington state in the worst outbreak in years, but some state lawmakers want to take the vaccination debate in the opposite direction: Loosening rules covering whether kids get inoculated.In Oregon, state lawmakers will consider a so-called transparency bill favored by the "vaccine hesitant." New York is simultaneously considering eliminating and expanding exemptions that allow parents to opt out. West Virginia this session is considering a bill, WV SB454, that would add back the religious and personal objection exemptions.Most states have religious exemptions for parents belonging to small sects that oppose vaccination — and some vaccine objectors have even created their own churches to opt out of vaccinating their kids. Seventeen states also allow parents to exempt their children for philosophical or "personal belief" reasons.Across the country, lawmakers have introduced more than 130 vaccine-related bills in over 30 states, at a pace that could set a new record, according to the National Vaccine Information Center, a vaccine-skeptical group that closely tracks vaccine legislation. Oregon's OR SB649, authored by Republican Sen. Kim Thatcher and dubbed "Right to Know," would require state health authorities to create a central website with links to all vaccine package inserts, ingredient lists and other information.Thatcher's constituents had a hard time getting information about mandated vaccines and needed "clear and valid information" to "help parents make the best decision for their families," said spokesperson Jonathan Lockwood. "I ran for office to try to solve problems and keep the community safe and healthy, and I'm not going to be deterred from that," he said.In Washington state, Rep. Paul Harris, who represents a district at the epicenter of the measles outbreak, has introduced WA HB1638, which would remove the personal or philosophical exemption — but only for the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.