Good News for Vaccine-cautious parents in Illinois

Yesterday, May 17, the Illinois House followed the lead of the Illinois Senate and passed SB 1305 unanimously.  SB 1305 removes failure to vaccinate or refusal to vaccinate based on religious or medical reasons from being listed as medical neglect or abuse.  This means that if a family chooses not to vaccinate their children based on medical or religious convictions, the Department of Children and Family Services will no longer investigate a family if referred by a mandated reporter such as a physician, nurse, social worker or by a hotline call.

The last major step in Illinois legislative process for SB 1305 to become law is the Governor’s signature.  Because both Houses passed the bill unanimously, there is a very good chance that the Governor will sign the bill, freeing law-abiding and caring parents from DCFS intimidation.

The two main groups who worked towards this legislation in Illinois were Eagle Forum of Illinois (State President Fran Eaton) and Illinois Vaccine Awareness Coalition (State Director Barbara Mullarkey).  They report that Department of Children and Family Services helped the legislation to pass by testifying twice in favor of this legislation.  The groups report that the Department of Children and Family Services do not want to waste their time investigating these families, either.

Fran Eaton

State President, Eagle Forum of Illinois