The Alabama Senate has passed a bill aimed at simplifying the process for students seeking religious exemptions from vaccinations.
SB85 Overview
SB85, introduced by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, eliminates the requirement for parents or guardians of K-12 students to go through county health departments to obtain a Certificate of Religious Exemption.
Key Changes in the Bill
“We’re simply removing that middle step,” Orr explained. The bill also extends religious exemptions to public universities, where students previously had no such coverage. Students could submit a written statement claiming religious exemption from vaccinations or testing, without the need for additional justification or third-party confirmation. The bill also removes previous restrictions on religious exemptions during epidemics or health emergencies.
Supporters and Critics
Supporters argue that the bill upholds parental rights and religious freedoms by eliminating further inquiries into individuals’ beliefs. However, critics raise concerns that easing vaccination requirements could put public health at risk, especially with Alabama’s declining vaccination rates.
Public health experts have warned that this could lead to preventable disease outbreaks, emphasizing that herd immunity requires a 95% vaccination rate.
Democratic lawmakers opposed the bill, arguing it could endanger public safety.
Orr noted that some county health departments were charging fees for exemption forms. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, voiced concerns about tracking vaccination status for public health purposes, questioning the removal of county health departments from the process.
“I’m perplexed by the removal of the health department,” Coleman said. “Their role is important for tracking who’s not vaccinated in case of an outbreak.”
Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, emphasized the need to protect students from potential risks posed by unvaccinated peers.
“We should think about the inconvenience to parents when their child falls ill unnecessarily because someone else chose not to take responsibility for their health,” Singleton said.
The bill has also been read in the House and referred to the House Health Committee. Under the proposed law, parents could simply submit a written statement to their local school board declaring a religious exemption from vaccination or testing, without the need for further explanation or validation.
Sign up for the Homely Huntsville newsletter to stay up to date on Huntsville.
