California's Mandatory Vaccine Bill Passes State Assembly: What This Means to Schoolchildren

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The mandatory vaccination bill for schoolchildren in California has finally passed the state Assembly on Thursday. It is up to one more floor vote and a signature from State Gov. Jerry Brown for the bill to become law.

The Senate Bill 277 passed on to a 46-to-30 vote in the state Assembly. If the bill becomes law, it will mandate all children to get vaccination regardless of personal or religious beliefs with the exemption of medical reasons, according to the New York Times.

According to a report by NPR, the bill "would give California one of the nation's strictest vaccine laws by striking the state's personal belief exemption. Only children with serious health issues would be allowed to opt out of mandatory vaccine schedules. Unvaccinated children would need to be homeschooled."

Some medical conditions that will exempt children from immunization include some allergies and immune system deficiency conditions that are confirmed by a physician.

It will also make California the third U.S. state to enact mandatory childhood vaccinations together with West Virginia and Mississippi. The bill was drafted in hopes of curbing the low immunization levels in some parts of the state and the serious outbreak of measles that started at Anaheim's Disneyland last December, where it sickened at least dozens, according to Huffington Post.

Despite the bill's passing, many angry parents have lobbied to oppose the bill in the belief that the vaccines are harmful and that it will violate their rights to make decisions for their families. One of the debated issues include debunked medical studies claiming that vaccination can lead to autism, NY Times reported.

"While I respect the fundamental right to make that decision as a family, we must balance that with the fact that none of us has the right to endanger others," said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzales, a supporter of the bill, to her colleagues.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto, who voted against the bill, responded that the bill violated the rights of the parents, according to the LA Times.

"The broadness of this bill likely dooms it from a constitutional standpoint," Gatto said. He also added that the state is undermining the rights of children to attend school through the bill.

It is unclear whether Gov. Brown will sign the measure, but his staff has repeatedly told the press that he "believes that vaccinations are profoundly important and a major public health benefit and any bill that reaches his desk will be closely considered."