Overview
- The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced SB 1756 on a 10-7 vote, with Republicans Gayle Harrell and Tom Wright joining Democrats in opposition.
- The measure adds a conscience-based opt-out for school immunizations and requires providers to give vaccine information, obtain parental signatures, and offer alternative schedules.
- The bill removes the surgeon general’s authority to require vaccinations during declared public health emergencies.
- Pharmacists could dispense ivermectin to adults without a prescription with counseling, and they would receive liability protection, a provision some Republicans questioned.
- Separate Department of Health rulemaking seeks to drop school requirements for Hepatitis B, varicella, Hib, and pneumococcal vaccines, while a House companion would also mandate that physicians accept patients regardless of vaccination status.