Mandatory HPV Vaccinations

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Summary:

Even prior to Merk’s decision to “suspend” its push for mandatory vaccinations in the states, it is our understanding that there was no immediate plan to push vaccination in Tennessee.  But that is little consolation to concerned parents as too many things can happen “under the radar,” particularly when the legislature is not in Session and legislators’ ability to “react” to any executive order is limited to non-existent.

We are pleased that our ally on the Hill, Bobbie Patray, with Eagle Forum of Tennessee, was able to quickly line up sponsors for Senate Bill 1958/House Bill 1580,  which would prevent any such vaccine from being mandated for minor children without it being “approved” by the Body charged in our State Constitution with making policy, the Legislature.  We appreciate having the opportunity to provide assistance to her in the drafting of the bill and will look forward to working with her in any way we can. 

We appreciate the response of Senator Raymond Finney and Representative Joey Hensley, both medical doctors, who quickly and willingly took on the responsibility of being the prime sponsors of this legislation.  We also appreciate those who, to date, have agreed to be co-sponsors,  Senators Burchett, Tracy, Ketron, Crowe, Watson, McNally, Norris, Stanley, Beavers, and  Southerland and Representatives Bell, Lollar, Cobb J, Watson , Hawk, Baird, Maggart, Todd, Eldridge, Strader, Lynn, Lundberg, Ford, Campfield, Hill, McDaniel, Johnson P, Mumpower, Dean, Casada, Floyd, Rowland, Johnson C, McCormick, Coley, Matheny, Matlock, Harrison, Swafford, Williams, and Dunn..

We will keep the information about the status of the bill at the legislation tab.

Language of Bill:

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section
49-6-5001, relative to immunization of school
children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-5001(a), is amended by
changing the period at the end of the subsection to a semi-colon and adding the following
language:
provided, however, an immunization for a disease only transmitted sexually, for which a
preventive vaccine has been approved and recommended for girls and women in a
specific age group, shall not be required unless specifically authorized by the general
assembly.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring
it.

Bill Status:

This Bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee on General Welfare, Health and Human Resources, currently no assignment in the House.