CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia House of Delegates has rejected a bill allowing for religious and philosophical exemptions for vaccines.
Senate Bill 460, which passed out of the State Senate in a 20-12 vote on February 21, would permit parents and guardians to opt out of the state’s mandatory immunization program by citing religious or philosophical objections.
The West Virginia House Health and Human Resources Committee took up the bill for consideration last week and passed it out of the committee removing the religious or philosophical exemption but allowing for a medical exemption with consent from a doctor.
The bill was on second reading in the House on Friday with several amendments presented by members, resulting in several hours of debate, ultimately an amendment from Delegate David Green (R-McDowell) was adopted by the House restoring the bill essentially to the way it was when it was passed by the Senate allowing for the original religious exemption.
The only difference is that the amendment allowed for private and parochial schools to set their own standards.
On Friday, the House attempted to suspend constitutional rules requiring the bill be read on three separate days and to forward the bill to third reading for passage but failed on a narrow vote.
The bill was rejected during Monday’s floor session following a lengthy debate on a 56-42 vote.
