State Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, left, is hugged by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalaz, D-San Diego after his measure requiring nearly all California school children to be vaccinated was approved by the Assembly at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, June 25, 2015. Gonzalez carried the bill, SB277 co-authored by Pan and State Sen. Ben Allen D-Santa Monica in the Assembly. The measure now goes to the governor. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (Photo: )
California's hotly debated mandatory vaccine bill passed the state Assembly on Thursday, leaving just one more floor vote before it heads to Gov. Jerry Brown for final approval.
Under the proposed law, parents citing religious or personal reasons would no longer be exempt from immunizing their children enrolled in California schools. The bill allows parents to opt out of immunization requirements for diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella only for medical reasons.
It passed 46 to 30 in the Assembly, The Contra Costa Times reported, and will move onto the state Senate for a final vote before seeking Brown's signature.
But many parents believe their children may have bad reactions to vaccines -- despite medical consensus to the contrary -- and view the bill as an infringement on their right to make decisions for their families. They've continually picketed outside the offices of legislators who support the bill, making it one of the most controversial initiatives passing through the state this year.
If Brown (D) signs the bill into law, California will join Mississippi and West Virginia as the only states with such strict vaccine requirements.
"Do we wait until we have a full-fledged crisis to protect the most vulnerable?" Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D) said while presenting the bill Thursday, the Associated Press reported.
There was a glimpse of a potential crisis following a significant measles outbreak that started at Anaheim's Disneyland in December and swelled to at least 131 cases. Some school districts dismissed unvaccinated students. The mandatory vaccine bill was introduced in response to the panic.
Brown has not indicated a stance on mandatory vaccines, but his spokesmen told the Los Angeles Times in February that the governor "believes that vaccinations are profoundly important and a major public health benefit, and any bill that reaches his desk will be closely considered."
Chris Christie
“Mary Pat and I have had our children vaccinated and we think that it’s an important part of being sure we protect their health and the public health,” Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) said during a visit to the United Kingdom on on Feb. 2. “I also understand that parents need to have some measure of choice in things as well, so that’s the balance that the government has to decide."
Barack Obama
"The science is, you know, pretty indisputable," President Barack Obama said in an interview with NBC on Feb. 1. "We’ve looked at this again and again. There is every reason to get vaccinated, but there aren’t reasons to not."
Rand Paul
"I think there are times in which there can be some rules, but for the most part it ought to be voluntary," Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said on the Laura Ingram show on Feb. 2.
Nancy Pelosi
"It is a public health issue. And the fact is is that children should be vaccinated," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said at the Brookings Institute on Feb. 3.
Ted Cruz
"The answer is obvious and there’s widespread agreement – of course they should,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas.) said on Feb. 3.
Bobby Jindal
"I worked in health care for a long time. I have no reservations about whether or not it is a good idea and desirable for all children to be vaccinated," said Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in a Feb. 3 press release. "Vaccinations are important. I urge every parent to get them."
Marco Rubio
"Unless they are immune suppressed for medical exceptions, but I believe all children should be vaccinated," Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said on Feb 3. "Absolutely all children in America should be vaccinated."
John Boehner
"I don't know that we need another law, but I do believe that all children ought to be vaccinated," House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters at an RNC press conference on Feb. 3.
Joe Biden
"Vaccines help keep children healthy, prevent costly stays in hospitals, and fight diseases that can lead to serious illness or death" Vice President Joe Biden said in a 2009 press release announcing funding to help vaccinate underserved Americans.
John McCain
"It's indisputable that (autism) is on the rise among children, the question is what's causing it. And we go back and forth and there's strong evidence that indicates it's got to do with a preservative in vaccines," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said during the 2008 presidential campaign.
"As a victim of polio myself, I'm a big fan of vaccinations," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters on Feb. 3.
Thom Tillis
"Vaccinations are important to keeping our kids safe, keeping our schools safe," Sen. Thom Tillis (R.-N.C.) said on Feb. 3.
Rob Portman
"As a child, I was vaccinated. Jane and I had our children vaccinated, and I encourage others to do the same to avoid dangerous outbreaks like we are witnessing today," Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) said.
Sean Duffy
"I know my kids best, I know what morals and values are right for my children. I think we should not have an oppressive state telling us what to do," Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) said on MSNBC on Feb. 3.
Dennis Daugaard
"Too many people seem to forget the risk of not vaccinating children," Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R-S.D.) wrote in January. "Medical professionals, repeated scientific studies and organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that vaccination is vital and safe."
