California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed multiple bills that would crack down on doctors who write fraudulent medical exemptions for required school vaccination. These measures come in the wake of the measles outbreak earlier this year, which was largely spread by unvaccinated people.
When brought in front of the legislative bodies the Assembly approved the measure with a 43-14 vote and the Senate followed with a 27-11 vote. Previously, Newsom had demanded changes made to the bills if lawmakers wanted him to sign. Lawmakers relatively quickly made the changes, and Newsom signed the bills just hours after receiving them.
In a statement, Newsom said, “This legislation provides new tools to better protect public health, and does so in a way that ensures parents, doctors, public health officials and school administrators all know the rules of the road moving forward.”
The bills, which will go into enforcement next year, will revoke any medical exemptions by a doctor who has received disciplinary action. In addition, there will be a phase out period for medical exemptions, similar to how it was done with personal beliefs in 2015. This means that a currently exempted kindergartener could retain it through sixth grade, or a seventh grader through high school.
The signing of these bills has been controversial to say the least. Outside the capital, hundreds of protesters were chanting, “my kids my choice” and “we will not comply,” while holding an upside down American outside the Senate.
They showed up again the Assembly’s meeting yelling “kill the bill,” and “protect our children.” Ultimately they held up proceedings for nearly two hours by yelling and pounding on the doors, with a handful being detained were detained.
