Six measures aimed at expanding medical freedom in Texas are on their way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk to be signed.
The two most notable vaccine freedom-related pieces of legislation passed by lawmakers and highlighted by Texans for Vaccine Choice are House Bill 1586 and House Bill 4076.
HB 1586 requires vaccine exemption forms for school enrollment to be available to print at home, simplifying the process for parents.
HB 4076 prohibits organ transplant discrimination based on a person’s vaccination status.
Also passed by lawmakers, House Bill 4535 requires health care providers to inform patients about the potential risks and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine before administering it. Senate Bill 269 requires a doctor to report vaccine side effects to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. House Bill 3441, meanwhile, allows for vaccine manufacturers to be held liable if their vaccines are advertised in Texas and cause injury.
Senate Joint Resolution 34 is a proposed constitutional amendment that affirms the rights of parents concerning their children’s upbringing. Texans will vote on the proposed amendment in November.
“Texans for Vaccine Choice celebrated its tenth year of legislative advocacy by helping pass six medical liberty bills,” Michelle Evans, political director for Texans for Vaccine Choice, told Texas Scorecard.
“The resounding message sent by voters and, subsequently, Texas lawmakers was that our vaccine choice rights are unconditional and non-negotiable.”
TFVC also reports that despite these victories, several measures were killed by the House Public Health Committee, including Senate Bill 95, Senate Bill 407, and Senate Bill 2119. These measures would have given vaccine exemptions to medical students and required parental consent for the vaccination of children.
Gov. Abbott must either sign, veto, or allow the six measures that were passed by the Legislature to take effect with no further action from him.
No ads. No paywalls. No government grants. No corporate masters.
Just real news for real Texans.
Support Texas Scorecard to keep it that way!
