A bill that would prevent parents from sending unvaccinated kids to school with waivers citing religious or personal beliefs succeeded in its first legislative test Wednesday, passing out of the state Senate Health Committee by 6-2.
The bill, SB277, must pass two other committees before moving to the Senate floor for a vote. Then it faces another series of tests in the Assembly.
The public comment period before Wednesday's vote lasted for hours, with hundreds of individuals stepping to the mic to oppose the bill. One mother said she represented parents who are "pro-choice" on vaccinations.
But health officials say the recent Disneyland measles outbreak was fueled by unvaccinated children. A mother in support of the bill said that her 4-month-old son contracted measles in January, before he was old enough to get his vaccines, and that he's still having trouble with his eyes.
Earlier, hundreds of anti-vaccine protesters rallied at the Capitol to make their feelings known. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was also in town, attending an anti-vaccine film screening.