TLRC position
Support
2024 · Health · Religious Liberty · Vaccines
Restricts healthcare facilities from coercing a person to be vaccinated.
HB 2861 / SB 2151
Bill description
Health Care - As enacted, prohibits a healthcare provider from coercing a person, including a person who has legal authority to make healthcare decisions for a child, to consent to a vaccination, misleading or misrepresenting that a vaccination is required by state law when state law provides an exemption, or misleading or misrepresenting that a newborn screening test is required by state law.
Health Care - As enacted, prohibits a healthcare provider from coercing a person, including a person who has legal authority to make healthcare decisions for a child, to consent to a vaccination, misleading or misrepresenting that a vaccination is required by state law when state law provides an exemption, or misleading or misrepresenting that a newborn screening test is required by state law.
Bill sponsors
TLRC statement
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.