Florida Senate passes ‘Medical Freedom Act’

The Florida Senate on Monday passed the “Medical Freedom Act,” legislation that would create a new exemption from school immunization requirements, allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin to adults without a prescription on a behind-the-counter basis, and bar compelled vaccination under the state’s emergency health powers.

The chamber approved SB 1756, sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough. The bill now moves to the House.

“This legislation ensures parents have the opportunity to make educated medical decisions they believe are best for their school-aged children,” said Sen. Yarborough. “Parents have a fundamental right to choose what they believe is best for their children. This bill strikes the right balance by ensuring parents have information they need to make these important decisions.”

One of the bill’s most significant changes would revise Florida’s school-entry immunization law to allow a child to be exempt from vaccine requirements if a parent submits a Department of Health form stating that immunization conflicts with the parent’s religious tenets or practices or conscience.

The change would broaden existing exemption options by adding conscience objections alongside current pathways. The exemption would apply to children attending K-12 schools and, like existing exemptions, also would extend to preschool and child care settings subject to immunization requirements.

https://thecapitolist.com/florida-senate-passes-medical-freedom-act/