Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/06/2000 03:36 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 292-PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT IMMUNIZATIONS
SENATOR GREEN moved to adopt CS for SB 292 (STA)(version G) as the
working version of the committee. Without objection, CS for SB 292
(STA)(version G) was adopted.
MS. LORETTA BROWN, Legislative staff for Senator Jerry Ward, stated
the language in section 1 (a)(7),"unless the commissioner of the
Department of Health and Social Services certifies that there is no
risk of harm to an individual child from the vaccine or" was
deleted. The language "a parent or legal guardian of the child
objects to the immunization based on religious or personal
beliefs;" was inserted on page 2, line 21 and page 3, line 22.
Section 3, subsection (b) has been added to the bill "The
commissioner of Health and Social Services shall make available to
the public a safety and public needs brochure that describes the
risks and benefits of vaccines and immunizations that are required
for attendance in a licensed day care center, public school, or
private school. The brochure described in this subsection must
disclose the source of the information used in the brochure."
CHAIRMAN WARD announced the committee would stand at ease.
VICE CHAIR GREEN stated she would be chairing the meeting in lieu
of CHAIRMAN WARD.
MS. BROWN said 17 states provide a personal belief exemption.
SENATOR ELTON asked how the State will determine what is a
legitimate excuse, and not an excuse of convenience.
MS. BROWN referred to a survey conducted in California.
Number 1169
SENATOR ELTON asked what will be determined if parents disagree
with one another on immunizations of the child, and who will
arbitrate.
MS. BROWN stated that was not addressed, therefore, she is unsure.
DR. PETER NAKAMURA, Director of the Division of Public Health,
Department of Health & Social Services, stated the language in CS
for SB 292 (STA) is still troublesome. There are many physicians
in the State who would be more than willing to sign off on
exemptions for vaccines, and that puts many people at risk. A
personal exemption could be used as a convenience method for
parents who are too lazy to have their children immunized, and that
is putting the child at risk.
VICE CHAIR GREEN asked what the standard is in current statute.
DR. NAKAMURA answered regulations are in place that require a sign
off for a valid medical or religious reason.
SENATOR ELTON asked whether Dr. Nakamura would be called upon to
dissolve a dispute between parents.
DR. NAKAMURA stated a legal advisor would be better equipped to
answer the question.
SENATOR ELTON asked whether Dr. Nakamura could define what a
personal belief is.
DR. NAKAMURA answered no, the subject is too broad.
MR. LYLE AXELARRIS, representing himself, stated support for CS for
SB 292. Choices should be left up to the parents, not the
government. For a state to assume responsibility for a child's
welfare by making blanket health care decisions for all children is
to act as a communist state.
Number 1703
MS. TABITHA PARKER, representing herself, stated support for CS for
SB 292. It is important for parents to make the decision about
their children's health care, parents should not need to use
religion as a safety net.
MS. JAMIE NALEPINSKI, representing herself, stated support for CS
for SB 292. Vaccinations are very traumatic for young children,
and parents should have the choice whether to subject their
children to them.
MS. JOYCE WOJCIEHOUSKI, representing herself, stated opposition for
CS for SB 292. Being a registered nurse she has witnessed the
devastation these diseases can cause. Some children do have
legitimate medical reasons for not receiving a vaccine. If parents
choose not to immunize their children for personal beliefs it puts
the children at risk because of medical reasons.
DR. JOHN MIDDAUGH, Division of Public Health, Department of Health
& Social Services, stated he was assigned to the State Health
Department in 1975, and inheritrd an epidemic of diphtheria
followed by an epidemic of measles. Parents moving in and out of
Alaska were able to exercise a philosophical exemption, or schools
stopped enforcing the existing requirements at that time.
The State was reminded in 1996, with an outbreak of measles in
Juneau, and in 1998 in Anchorage, how important and significant
vaccinations are. Vaccines simply protect children in the settings
where these diseases spread rapidly and place individuals at risk.
The decision of a parent to not vaccinate their child because of
personal beliefs is respected, but that child cannot attend day
care or school, and then the child's education is at risk. Dr.
Middaugh stated opposition for CS for SB 292. Studies in other
states have shown that exempted persons are 35 times more likely to
contract measles than vaccinated persons.
MS. COLLEEN DRAKE WILKE, Public Health Nurse for the Municipality
of Anchorage, stated she has been investigating whooping cough
cases in young children who are too young to receive vaccines. The
immunization goal in a community is to develop pert-immunity (ph),
where you immunize as many individuals as possible to decrease
disease, so those who cannot benefit from vaccines are protected by
lack of infectious disease in the community. Ms. Wilke stated
opposition for CS for SB 292.
DR. BETH FUNK, stated opposition for CS for SB 292.
MS. BEVERLY WOOLEY, Manager of Community & Health Services for the
Municipality of Anchorage, stated opposition for CS for SB 292.
CSSB 292 would result in reduced immunization levels and an
increase in disease. Vaccines are known to be the most effective
protection against disease that continues to threaten our children.
MS. CAROL SHELLEY, representing herself, stated opposition for CS
for SB 292. Alex, her son, contracted whooping cough at four weeks
old and could have died. Whooping cough is a vaccine preventable
disease, the lack of vaccinations puts small children at risk who
are too small to receive the immunization.
Tape 00-07, Side B
MR. J.J. TOWER, student, stated opposition for CS for SB 292. He
does not want to become exposed to infectious diseases because
another child has not been immunized. If there are no
vaccinations, millions of children may become afflicted with a
deadly disease, and become highly contagious because of the closely
knit school environments.
VICE CHAIR GREEN stated CS for SB 292 would be held in committee.
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