D8D6C3DD3CE47BCE8725852A006A70F0 Hearing Summary

Representative Baisley, bill sponsor, introduced House Bill 20-1297. This bill clarifies that a child's immunization status or a parent or legal guardian's decision to delay or decline one or more immunizations for a child does not, by itself constitute child abuse or neglect.  The bill specifies that a dependency and neglect investigation cannot be based solely on these immunization factors.  Any party who reports suspected child abuse or neglect based solely on the child's immunization status is subject to punishment for a class 3 misdemeanor.

He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment D).

Representative Baisley distributed amendments L.002 (Attachment E) and L.004 (Attachment F).

The bill sponsor responded to questions from the committee.

Theresa Wrangham, National Vaccine Information Center, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment G).  Kim Zawacki, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment H).  Rachel Ponsor, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.  Els Kreger, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The panel of witnesses responded to committee questions.

Cinthia Williamson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.  Leslie Scott, Democrats for Medical Autonomy, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony was submitted to be included with the record (Attachment I).

The bill sponsor made closing comments on the bill.

Committee members made closing comments on the bill.