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| Rep. Lynn Bechler |
KENTUCKY LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION
Legislation aimed at getting more children vaccinated against the
human papillomavirus (HPV) was amended yesterday so that children
would only receive the vaccinations if their parents or guardians
took steps to indicate their approval.
Rep. Lynn Bechler (R-Marion) said his amendment, which was adopted
on a 50-45 vote, “simply adds language that requires the school
district to send home information on the HPV vaccine … and it
requires a parent to opt-in” if a child's vaccination is desired.
Prior to being amended, HB 311 called for vaccinations for children
unless their parents or guardians provided a written statement
opting out. HB 311 is sponsored by Rep. David Watkins (D-Henderson)
and Rep. Jim Wayne (D-Louisville).
Adults who received HPV vaccinations as children have a lower risk
of becoming infected with the virus, which can spread through sexual
contact and cause cervical cancer and other diseases.
As amended, HB 311 requires that parents received information on the
HPV virus from their children’s schools upon a child’s enrollment in
sixth grade. It further states that “a parent or legal guardian of a
child shall always be privileged to decide whether he or she wants
his or her child to be immunized against human papillomavirus, and
shall only be requested to opt-in to a vaccination program...”
In opposing the amendment to his bill, Watkins emphasized that his
original proposal would provide parents a chance to opt children out
of the vaccinations. “I feel this amendment is intrusive (and) adds
additional burden to all our school systems which already are
burdened by too much expense,” he said.
