California Senate Bill 277

California Senate Bill 277

California Senate Bill 277 (SB 277) is a significant piece of legislation that was signed into law on June 30, 2015, by Governor Jerry Brown. The bill, which took effect on January 1, 2016, eliminated personal belief exemptions for vaccinations required for school entry in the state of California. This law was enacted in response to a measles outbreak that originated at Disneyland in December 2014, which highlighted the risks of low vaccination rates in certain communities.

Background

Prior to the enactment of SB 277, California allowed parents to exempt their children from vaccinations required for school entry based on personal beliefs. This exemption was in addition to medical exemptions, which are still permitted under the law. The Disneyland measles outbreak, which resulted in over 150 cases across multiple states, underscored the public health risks associated with low vaccination coverage.

Provisions of the Bill

SB 277 requires that all children attending public or private schools, as well as daycare centers, be vaccinated against certain diseases unless they have a medical exemption. The diseases covered by the vaccination requirement include measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox).

The bill does not apply to students who are homeschooled or enrolled in independent study programs without classroom-based instruction. Additionally, children who had a personal belief exemption on file before January 1, 2016, were allowed to continue attending school until they reached the next grade span (kindergarten, 7th grade, or upon entering a new school district).

Impact and Controversy

The passage of SB 277 was met with both support and opposition. Proponents argued that the law was necessary to protect public health and ensure herd immunity, particularly for those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Opponents, however, raised concerns about parental rights and the potential for government overreach.

Since its implementation, SB 277 has been credited with increasing vaccination rates among schoolchildren in California. However, it has also led to debates about the balance between public health and individual freedoms.

Legal Challenges

Following its passage, SB 277 faced several legal challenges. Opponents of the bill filed lawsuits claiming that it violated constitutional rights, including the right to education and religious freedom. However, these challenges have largely been unsuccessful, with courts upholding the law as a valid exercise of the state's power to protect public health.

Also see

• Vaccination
• Herd immunity
• Measles outbreak
• Public health law
• Medical exemption