A bill to protect the privacy and medical freedom of Tennessee residents is scheduled to be heard by the House Population Health Subcommittee this week.
In January, Rep. Bryan Richey (R-Maryville-District 20) introduced House Bill 0264 (HB0264) to prohibit “the requirement for certain immunizations if a person files a statement of religious objection to such immunizations.”
Rep. Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69) is a co-prime sponsor of this legislation in the House and Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) is backing the corresponding Senate Bill, SB1090.
According to the bill summary, this legislation would prevent governmental entities from “mandating that a person receive an immunization unless the entity provides an exemption to a person who files a signed, written statement that the immunization conflicts with the person’s religious tenets and practices, affirmed under penalty of perjury.”
The text goes on to clarify that when a person files a written statement of religious exemption, governmental entities cannot require any additional proof of the person’s religious convictions, such as verification from the person’s religious leader or church.
This section of the bill would also apply to religious exemptions from immunization for children attending schools, nursery schools, kindergartens, preschools, or child-care facilities of the state.
