Bill Allowing Vaccine Exemptions in Schools Passes

A bill that would allow exemptions for vaccine requirements at schools and daycares sparked impassioned debate on the Senate floor before passing on a narrow vote last week.

Senate Bill 474 would require schools, daycares, and other organizations that require vaccinations to accept religious and medical exceptions.

Sen. Cora Neumann, D-Bozeman, opposed the bill. Similar exemptions already exist, which she said would be unsafely expanded under the bill.

“This amended bill, as-is, would create the most permissive exemption policy in the country, and likely drops us below herd immunity for many c...