Bill requiring Iowa schools to disclose vaccine exemption info headed to governor’s desk

DES MOINES — Iowa K-12 schools and licensed child care centers would be required to disclose vaccine exemption information on their websites and include it in information given to parents and guardians when registering kids for school under a bill headed to the governor’s desk.

House File 299 would require them to include information about obtaining exemptions in any public communication to parents or guardians following recommendations by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Iowa families can obtain exemptions from mandatory school vaccines for religious or medical reasons. A religious exemption requires a genuine and sincere religious belief that conflicts with immunizations, and does not require belonging to a specific religious denomination. A medical exemption requires a physician to certify that a vaccine would be harmful to the child's health.

Elementary and secondary schools and child care facilities would have to publish vaccine exemption information on their websites and in registration documents. The legislation also requires the Iowa Board of Education to adopt rules requiring all K-12 schools to provide information regarding the exemptions to a parent or guardian.

Iowa community colleges and the state’s public universities would also be required to adopt a policy to include any communication to students related to the exemptions.

The Senate passed the bill Tuesday along party lines, 32-16, sending it to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature. It passed the House, 58-30, in March.

Democrats argued the bill undermines public health and public confidence in vaccines at a time when vaccine skepticism has led to the resurgence of preventable diseases in areas with low vaccination rates.

  Buy Photo

Childhood vaccination rates have been falling in the United States, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lower levels of immunity have resulted in a resurgence of measles cases, including a recent outbreak in Texas that has infected more than 660 people, leading to 87 hospitalizations and the deaths of two school-aged children. The children were not vaccinated and had no known underlying conditions, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

As of last week, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reported 884 confirmed cases of measles nationwide, three times the number of cases in 2024.

“The implications of this legislation could undermine public health efforts and lead to increased vaccine hesitancy, weakening our safety and threatening our children,” Sen. Molly Donahue, D-Marion, said during debate on the Senate floor. “To be clear, vaccinations are safe.”

  Buy Photo

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles; one dose is 93 percent effective, according to the CDC. It is uncommon for someone fully vaccinated to develop measles.

Donahue said the bill sends “mixed message” about the importance and the safety of vaccines, “potentially endangering herd immunity.”

“Clarity and consistency in public health messaging are crucial,” which the bill compromises, she added.

Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, said a single case of measles can lead to widespread outbreaks that strain public health resources and endanger vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Republicans argue the bill does a better job of making information transparent for parents.

“This isn't a pro-vaccine bill or an anti-vaccine bill. This is called an honesty bill,” Sen. Jesse Green, R-Boone, said. “What's troubling to me is a handful of schools in the state decide that it's OK to lie to parents, that if you don't receive shots you can't send your kids to school. That is a lie, and our parents in the state of Iowa deserve better. And so that's what this bill ensures. It ensures an honest conversation between the taxpayers, the parents and the schools.”

Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, shared a story about a mother whose child had a vaccine adverse event, highlighting the need for accurate information about exemptions.

“We have a law in Iowa, and this will help make sure that law is upheld,” Guth said.

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com