A bill to allow parents to bring a lawsuit against the entity that prevents a student’s entry to a school on the basis of their immunization status advances from House Education. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee’s bill will give parents legal recourse if their child is denied admittance because they opted out of any vaccination.
“A state agency is supposed to enforce this, and the legal remedy is when they don’t a parent can sue. This is all the bill does is add that already existing option into the statutes,” said Amedee.
House Bill 531 received opposition from the Louisiana Department of Education’s legal counsel Joan Hunt. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Frieberg asked Hunt to clarify the existing law that said parents can opt out of having their child vaccinated due to medical, personal, or religious reasons.
“So, if a parent has been refused a parent can file a writ mandamus,” said Hunt.
“So that already exists,” Frieberg questioned.
“It already exists,” Hunt responded.
“So, there’s really no reason for this legislation,” Frieberg stated.
“None at all,” Hunt said.
Fiorella Trapani Co-director of Health Freedom Louisiana, a consumer and health rights advocacy organization spoke in favor of the bill. She told lawmakers even though a law exists many do not know they have recourse if denied.
“I don’t think that you would like it if your grandchild or your child was denied admission because they have a medical condition or a religious belief. Please let’s fix this problem once and for all,” said Trapani.
The bill passed on a six to five vote and will be heard in the full House.
Comments