Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2007

Introduced
1/9/23  
Refer
1/9/23  

Caption

Prohibiting the secretary of health and environment from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for care at a child care facility or attendance at a school.

Impact

The bill modifies existing state laws related to immunization requirements for children. It amends K.S.A. 65-508 and 72-6262, confirming that children may still enroll in schools and child care facilities even if they have not received the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, it allows exemptions based on medical needs or religious beliefs. This change could have considerable implications for public health, educational institutions, and child care sectors in Kansas, potentially affecting herd immunity and illness prevention strategies.

Summary

House Bill 2007 introduces significant changes to the requirements for childhood immunizations mandated by the Secretary of Health and Environment in Kansas. This bill specifically prohibits the requirement of a COVID-19 vaccination for children attending school or participating in child care facilities. The proposed legislation aims to address concerns from parents and guardians about vaccination mandates, particularly in light of the ongoing debates surrounding COVID-19 vaccination policies. Supporters of the bill argue that it protects individual rights and freedoms regarding health decisions for children.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 2007 is divided among lawmakers and community members. Proponents view the bill favorably, seeing it as a means to safeguard parental rights and reduce government overreach concerning mandated vaccinations. Conversely, opponents express concern about the potential risks to public health, emphasizing that such a measure could lead to lower vaccination rates and an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases among children.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the balance between personal freedom and public health responsibilities. Critics argue that by allowing states to forego COVID-19 vaccines, the bill could undermine efforts to ensure maximum immunity in schools and child care environments, potentially leading to outbreaks of the virus among unvaccinated populations. The bill raises fundamental questions about the role of government in individual health decisions, reflecting a larger national debate on vaccine mandates.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB314

Prohibiting the secretary of health and environment from requiring COVID-19 vaccination for children attending a child care facility or school.

KS HB2285

Requiring the secretary of health and environment to study drug overdose death cases and providing for the confidentiality of related records, restricting the authority of the secretary of health and environment and local health officers to control the spread of infectious or contagious diseases, repealing the authority of the secretary to quarantine individuals and impose penalties for violations thereof and prohibiting the secretary of health and environment from requiring COVID-19 vaccination for children attending a child care facility or school.

KS HB2390

House Substitute for HB 2390 by Committee on Public Health and Welfare - Requiring the secretary of health and environment to study drug overdose death cases and providing for the confidentiality of acquired and related records, restricting the authority of the secretary of health and environment and local health officers to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious or contagious diseases and repealing the authority of the secretary to quarantine individuals and impose associated penalties.

KS HB2383

Requiring the Kansas children's cabinet and the department of health and environment to implement a pilot program to offer health services, telehealth consultations and medication reimbursements to child care providers, while prohibiting stricter local regulations, allowing local registration of providers, increasing state funding for the child and adult care food program and providing free training and education materials to providers.

KS SB207

Requiring the Kansas children's cabinet and the department of health and environment to implement a pilot program to offer health services, telehealth consultations and medication reimbursements to child care providers, while prohibiting stricter local regulations, allowing local registration of providers, increasing state funding for the child and adult care food program and providing free training and education materials to providers.

KS HB2785

Transferring certain child care programs to the Kansas office of early childhood and separating licensing duties between the secretary for health and environment and the executive director of early childhood.

KS SB501

Transferring certain child care programs to the Kansas office of early childhood and separating licensing duties between the secretary for health and environment and the executive director of early childhood.

KS SB132

Establishing certain license fees and training requirements, creating a process for day care facility licensees to apply for temporary waiver of certain statutory requirements and authorizing the secretary to develop and operate pilot programs to increase child care facility availability or capacity, transferring certain child care programs to the Kansas office of early childhood and separating licensing duties between the secretary for health and environment and the executive director of early childhood.

KS SB315

Requiring child care facilities, elementary, secondary and postsecondary educational institutions and employers to grant exemptions from vaccine requirements without inquiring into the sincerity of the request and repealing the meningitis vaccine requirement to live in student housing.

KS SB20

Requiring child care facilities, elementary, secondary, postsecondary educational institutions and employers to grant exemptions from vaccine requirements without inquiring into the sincerity of the request and repealing the meningitis vaccine requirement to live in student housing.

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