The Louisiana legislature voted Thursday in favor of a bill prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine requirements for all K-12 schools, and the bill is expected to soon be sent to the governor’s desk.
The state House overwhelmingly approved HB 182 Tuesday, which prevents any public or private K-12 school from requiring students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to qualify for enrollment. The state Senate concurred with the House, passing the bill Thursday, and readying it to be sent to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk to be signed into law or vetoed. (RELATED: Marines Drop All Charges Against Lance Corporal Who Bucked Orders To Avoid COVID-19 Vax)
Edwards, who has maintained moderate stances on issues in the past, has not made any indication of whether or not he will sign the bill. Amendments to the original bill removed any applications of the law to public colleges and universities.
The bill has been subject to criticism on social media.
Jennifer Herricks, the founder of Louisiana Families for Vaccines, an immunization advocacy group, encouraged lawmakers to vote no on HB 182 in a tweet.
#lalege is considering 2 bills that could lower immunization rates and put our kids at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases at school. Join me and @LA_Families4Vax and tell them to vote NO on HB 182 and HB 399! Our kids deserve safe schools! https://t.co/tAGfARKKHN
— Jennifer Herricks, PhD (@MicroJenPhD) June 5, 2023
Before HB 182 was passed, the group posted a graphic on Twitter referring to the bill as “dangerous legislation.”
The bill was passed alongside other vaccine legislation, including HB 399, which would require schools to provide students and parents with information regarding exemptions for other types of vaccines. HB 399 is waiting for final approval from Edwards.
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