Getting tough on vaccination?

Recently introduced legislation would give California one of the toughest laws on vaccination in the country.

If passed, Senate Bill 277 would make California one of three states—along with Mississippi and West Virginia—that allow only medical exemptions as a reason to avoid vaccinations, according to the San Jose Mercury News. California is one of 19 states that currently allows for exemptions based on parents’ personal or religious beliefs.

“There is no religious exemption in the statute,” said Sen. Richard Pan, who co-authored the bill with Sen. Ben Allen. However, Pan added that might change as the debate moves forward—either through “the legislative process or the governor himself.”

Jim Evans, a spokesman for Gov. Jerry Brown, said the governor “believes that vaccinations are profoundly important and a major public health benefit and any bill that reaches his desk will be closely considered.”