State Representative Gina Johnsen introduced a legislative package that would ensure state departments must follow existing laws without creating new conditions or barriers for parents who want to exempt their children from vaccines.
“Because certain departments, whether it's Education or DHHS or a county health department, have decided to add extra qualifiers, extra measures, extra barriers, and in many cases, a delayed process that keeps the children from being able to get their right to education just because of a vaccine waiver dispute.”
The Lake Odessa Republican emphasizes the importance of parental rights, noting bureaucrats cannot use administrative rulemaking to narrow those rights or complicate the process for obtaining medical, religious, or philosophical exemptions.
“We really need to be hands off. Let the parents be the parents, encourage them to be good parents, and we partner with them, county health department, the schools, childcare centers, et cetera. We partner with parents; we don't dictate to them.”
Johnsen’s district includes parts of Kent, Ionia, Barry and Eaton counties.
Companion bills have been introduced in the state Senate. All have been referred to committee for further review.
For a weekly dose of news right to your inbox, sign up for the WGVU newsletter.
