The state should not override the decisions of parents, especially in the area of preventive care, where many different approaches are respected. Some parents are convinced, based on research they have done, that it would be better for their children not to be immunized. Whether or not we agree with their conclusion, their right to make this decision should be protected. Current law respects this parental decision in that it allows an exemption for moral, philosophical, or personal reasons. L.D. 1563 would compel immunization of home school children who are part of a non-approved private school despite parental conviction against immunizations that it would not be wise.
Current law specifies the diseases for which immunizations are required.
These requirements can only be changed by an act of the legislature, which provides ample opportunity for the will of the people to be heard. However, L.D. 1563 would give an administrative agency power to issue rules to determine the diseases against which to immunize Maine children. Run by unelected bureaucrats who feel no sense of accountability to voters, administrative agencies have a track record of ignoring the will of the people. Parental choice will be severely eroded if L.D. 1563 passes. L.D. 1563 was amended into a version which retained the philosophical exemption, was passed by the legislature and signed into law.