State Sen. Richard Pan introduced the Keep Schools Open and Safe Act on Monday, which would nix exemptions from the Covid vaccine based on personal beliefs.
Pan, a pediatrician who represents a Sacramento area, said that the pandemic has caused “disruption, anxiety, and trauma” for families in the state, and this legislation would bring “confidence and certainty” to them.
“What we’re saying is that if you choose not to vaccinate your child, there’s a consequence,” the senator told The San Francisco Chronicle, as he defended the bill.
The proposal from Pan would also require all students from kindergarten through 12th grade to receive Covid-19 vaccinations beginning January 23, 2023 if they want to have in-person classes. The only way for unvaccinated students to still go to school at that point would be to obtain medical exemption.