Vaccine hearing set for Jan. 22 in Jackson

Received this from Judy Brasher, president of the National Autism Association of Mississippi:

Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, has scheduled a vaccine hearing for Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. at the state capitol. This follows a public meeting Holland hosted in Tupelo last month.

I’ll have a story about this in tomorrow’s Daily Journal:

On Monday, Holland introduced House Bill 455. The bill proposes amending the state’s current law regarding vaccine waivers. Right now, the law says that if a physician requests an exemption, the state MAY grant it. Holland’s bill would change that so it reads SHALL grant the exemption. It also outlines a procedure the state would have to follow in case it does deny it.

Here is the text: Title: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-23-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER MUST ACCEPT A MEDICAL EXEMPTION FROM VACCINATION IN ORDER TO ATTEND SCHOOL PROVIDED BY A PHYSICIAN; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER BELIEVES THAT THE MEDICAL EXEMPTION WILL CAUSE UNDUE RISK TO THE COMMUNITY, THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER MAY PETITION THE CHANCERY COURT TO DISALLOW THE MEDICAL EXEMPTION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER MUST PRESENT CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE OF THE EXACT NATURE OF UNDUE RISK TO THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER FOR THE CHANCELLOR TO DISALLOW THE MEDICAL EXEMPTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.