CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia House of Delegates is set to vote on a bill that would ease the state’s stringent school vaccination laws by reinstating religious exemptions and giving private schools more control over their policies.
On Friday, the House amended Senate Bill 460, incorporating an amendment from Del. David Green, R-McDowell, that restores religious exemptions and allows private and parochial schools to determine their own vaccination rules. The amendment was passed by a 52-44 vote.
During discussions, Green emphasized the importance of religious liberty, saying, “This country was built on religious freedom. For years, I questioned why our state didn’t allow for religious exemptions. Today, we have the opportunity to change that.”
Legislation’s Journey and Changes
Originally, SB 460, as passed by the Senate, allowed parents to submit a written statement to schools if they objected to vaccinations on religious grounds. It also proposed changes to the medical exemption process, making it easier for families to obtain exemptions from doctors.
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However, the House Committee on Health and Human Resources removed the religious exemption provision, focusing solely on the medical exemption process. The revised version would permit a child’s physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner to issue a written medical exemption, rather than requiring approval from the state’s immunization officer.
Despite this change, the House later restored religious exemptions, aligning with Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s executive order, which mandated their inclusion on his second day in office. The amended bill also reinstates the ability for private and parochial schools to set their own vaccination requirements, a measure that had previously been rejected by the Senate.
Opposition and Concerns
Medical professionals, including school nurses and public health experts, strongly oppose the proposed changes. In a letter to lawmakers, three former West Virginia state health officers—Dr. Matthew Christiansen, Dr. Ayne Amjad, and Dr. Cathy Slemp—warned against weakening school vaccination requirements.
“We urge you not to pass SB 460 in any form that introduces non-medical exemptions or undermines the protections that safeguard our children and communities,” they wrote.
Additionally, the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, which oversees 24 schools with over 4,600 students, has historically supported the state’s strict vaccination policies. A spokesperson for the diocese stated that while they monitor legislative developments, they intend to uphold existing vaccine requirements.
What’s Next?
If the House approves the bill on Monday, it will return to the Senate for further consideration of the amended provisions.