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2011 Senate Bill 5005: Certification of exemption from immunization
  1. Introduced by Sen. Karen Keiser (Kent) (D) on January 10, 2011, to broaden the authority to furnish a certificate to exempt a child from immunization from licensed physicians to other health care practitioners, such as naturopaths, or physicians assistants. Requires that the certification must include a statement stating that the health care practitioners provided the parent or guardian with information about the benefits and risks of immunization (Companion: HB 1015).
    • Referred to the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee on January 10, 2011.
    • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on January 20, 2011.
      • Amendment offered by Sen. James Hargrove (Hoquiam) (D) on February 22, 2011, to clarify that the disclosure statement addresses the benefits and risks of the immunization to the child. The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on February 22, 2011.
  2. Passed 35 to 11 in the Senate on February 22, 2011, to broaden the authority to furnish a certificate to exempt a child from immunization from licensed physicians to other health care practitioners, such as naturopaths, or physicians assistants. Requires that the certification must include a statement stating that the health care practitioners provided the parent or guardian with information about the benefits and risks of immunization to the child.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  3. Received in the House on February 23, 2011.
    • Referred to the House Health Care & Wellness Committee on February 23, 2011.
      • Amendment offered in the House on March 16, 2011, to provide liability protection to health care practitioners who, in good faith, sign the immunization exemption forms stating that immunization information on the benefits and risks to the child has been provided to the parent or legal guardian. The amendment also allows a health care practitioner to sign the form stating that immunization information on the benefits and risks to the child has been provided to the parent or legal guardian at any time prior to the enrollment of the child in a school or licensed day care and allows photocopies of the form or a letter referencing the child's name to be accepted in lieu of the original form. The bill also excuses any parent who is exempting a child from immunization because of religious beliefs from the requirement to have the form signed by a health care practitioner, if the parent demonstrates membership in a religious body or church in which the religious beliefs or teachings preclude a health care practitioner from providing medical treatment to the child. The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 16, 2011.
    • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 21, 2011.
      • Amendment offered by Rep. Bill Hinkle, (R-Cle Elum) (R) on March 25, 2011, would clarify requirements and obligations for providing exemptions under the law, including changes to the forms and use of notary. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 25, 2011.
  4. Passed 66 to 29 in the House on March 25, 2011, to require the form used to exempt a child from school immunizations to include a statement, to be signed by a health care practitioner, that immunization information on the benefits and risks to the child has been provided to the parent or legal guardian.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  5. Received in the Senate on April 21, 2011, Senate concurred with the House amendments. Passed 34 to 12 in the Senate on April 21, 2011.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  6. Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 10, 2011.

Comments

Re: 2011 Senate Bill 5005 (Certification of exemption from immunization)  by maddis12 on August 9, 2012 
I guess there are some standards we should keep if we want to be a part of a civilized healthy society. I had a talk with my family physician about this matter and he convinced me that this is the best thing to do.


Re: 2011 Senate Bill 5005 (Certification of exemption from immunization)  by gjh on May 12, 2011 

concernedparent2,


If you want your children to be immunized that is fine and I don't think anyone should pass a law stopping you from doing so. Why can't that same curtsey be extended the other direction. If someone doesn't want their children to be immunized why should they be forced to immunize them or jump through unreasonable hoops? That is just stripping us of another one of our freedoms.


If your child is immunized what do you have to worry about? They are immunized, right? If there is a breakout your child will be safe. So it shouldn't matter if a couple children in the same school as your child aren't immunized. They will get sick and your child will stay healthy.


You also don't seem to understand what diversity means. Having everybody meet then same standard is the opposite of being diverse. Forcing a group of people to conform to a standard has the affect of making the group leave. How in the world can you maintain diversity if you make it difficult for people with beliefs that are not similar to your own?



Re: 2011 Senate Bill 5005 (Certification of exemption from immunization)  by gjh on May 12, 2011 

BobVB, I mean no disrespect but you appear to have any idea what you are talking about. Right now all I have to do it turn the immunization form over and check the Religious Exemption box. How can you make it any easier than that?


If this bill is passed as written. I will have to go to get a physician to sign off on my Religious Exemption. How in the world is that easier than what I do now!



This bill also doesn't make any sense! Why in the world is the state forcing my doctor to determine my religious convictions. That should be between me and my pastor not me and my doctor! I can't be the only one who sees the insanity here.



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