Today at 7:18 p.m.
Jemma Stephenson / Alabama Reflector
The Alabama Senate approved a bill that would loosen regulations for religious exemptions for vaccines in schools.
Senate Bill 246, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, passed 24-5 Tuesday. The bill would allow parents who have a religious objection to vaccination to declare that in a statement to the local board of education. The parent would not have to provide evidence or win the approval of the board.
Orr said the bill was about parental choice.
“And just require in writing that this go to the school for their records that the parent requests or wants their child exempted on religious grounds,” he said.
He said employees at the Department of Health are not supposed to but some question people about their religious beliefs.
State