HB 2861 / SB 2151

This bill amends current law to address concerns arising from a constituent’s adverse birthing experience at a Nashville-area hospital. This bill rectifies a situation where a mother was incorrectly told that she must vaccinate her child before leaving the hospital, with a threat of reporting to the Department of Children’s Services.

Acknowledging the necessity for clarity and protection of parental rights, the bill explicitly forbids healthcare providers from coercing individuals into vaccination, falsely claiming state law mandates vaccination without a religious exemption, or falsely asserting state law demands newborns to undergo a screening test without a religious exemption option.

To prevent such practices, the bill grants authority to the relevant licensing board to take disciplinary action against healthcare providers violating these provisions.