AB 16 is now even worse!
Awhile ago I urged any Californians reading this blog to contact Assembly members to advise them to vote against AB 16, the bill that would add the new HPV vaccine to the list of vaccines required for school entry.
AB 16 has been completely restructured. After resistance to the initial version, the bill has been rewritten to remove the responsibility for determining which vaccines to require from the legislature to state public health officials. This means, basically, that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) would essentially mandate the vaccines required in our state, and voters would no longer have any leverage through the legislature to influence the process. Voters would be "written out" of the process by the referral of vaccine issues to faceless "officials" who have no accountability to the people.
And it gets worse. The typical language allowing for Religious, Medical, or Philosophical exemptions to vaccinations is being replaced by parental "belief," a vague term with no constitutional standing. This could easily be overturned if challenged later, essentially removing a parent's right to refuse a vaccine.
Removal of the medical exemption also implies there are no medical reasons to exempt and makes doctors the enforcers of government policy. They are left with no legal responsibility for preventing vaccine injuries and deaths. Removal of the religious exemption tramples deeply held religious beliefs opposing vaccination or the use of certain vaccines, and it denies the right to religious freedom. The exemption for philosophical or conscientiously held beliefs has greater legal standing than undefined parental "beliefs."
This is very bad legislation that makes it seem like the legislature has either decided they aren't brave enough to tangle with the issue so they'll pass it on to bureaucrats, or it makes it seem that they don't think they can pass the bills they wish to (a la the HPV vaccine) so they'll get their agenda passed by force.
So if you are a Californian, please contact your Assembly member and voice your opposition to AB 16.