CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The House of Delegates voted on Monday in favor of eliminating vaccine requirements in virtual public schools.
HB 5105 saw its third reading during Monday’s House session, at which proceedings became emotionally charged as multiple delegates took time to give their thoughts with regard to vaccination requirements in general as well as the state of the West Virginia public school system.
Delegate Garcia (D-76) was one delegate to speak in opposition to the legislation citing a struggling school system and purported “knee jerk reaction” against government regulations as factors of consideration in his vote.
“Our school system is struggling right now, and we’re giving another reason not to be a part of the solution in public schools, to try to help and grow and make education a priority,” said Garcia. “Not to mention the effects this could have on a number of people who are more vulnerable, and for all these reasons.I am against this bill.”
Delegate Brooks (R-45) spoke in support of the bill, expressing enthusiasm at the opportunity to follow through on the promise to support the religious freedoms of Raleigh County constituents, a key campaign point for the Republican delegate.
“It’s one of these times – and I don’t get to do this very often – where I get to push a button today and I get to keep my word to my people that I asked to vote for me to send me down here,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for us today, I’m so glad we’re running this bill… Let’s pass this thing and send it over to the Senate so they can do the same.”
Many of those who spoke revealed consulting friends, loved ones, and professional colleagues as a means of gaining perspective on the nature of vaccinations in preparation for the vote. One such member, Delegate Zatezalo (R-2) spoke of having discussed the issue with family members in the healthcare industry, ultimately casting his vote against the legislation, stating,
“Having understood and being a pro-life advocate as I am, I still have to say, if we can basically make children’s lives better, we need to lean in that direction, and that’s why I’ll oppose this bill.”
Delegate Kirby (R-44) implored fellow Republican delegates to consider last year’s legislation pertaining to the West Virginia Religious Freedoms Restoration Act, which garnered heavy Republican support to the end of forbidding excessive government limitations on exercise of religion.
“Every Republican member not only voted for it, but supported it unquestionably when it pertained to your religious freedoms and your children’s religious freedoms. But some of those same members that voted for adults’ religious freedoms throughout the state are now reluctant and openly speaking out against adopting religious freedoms and religious religious exemption for the children of our state.”
With regard to the argument that the overwhelming majority of state residents are not opposed to vaccinations in general, the Raleigh County Republican noted that legislation passed was not necessarily done so in the exclusive interests of those who make up the majority.
“We don’t pass anti-discriminatory laws to protect the majority of people,” he continued. “97% of West Virginians will say, ‘I’m okay with vaccinating my children.’ But it’s for the 3% that I’m standing here – the people in my district that right now are only allowed to have one income in their home because the wife or the husband has to stay home, and they’re forced to homeschool their children.”
HB 5105 ultimately was ultimately passed through the House of Delegates by a vote of 57 to 41, with two delegates cited as absent for the vote.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage of the West Virginia Legislature can be found here.