Vaccine Bill Passes Assembly; Cooper Offers Floor Speech Decrying Fear Mongering Opponents

June 25, 2015 |

One of the most contentious bills of this legislative session has been Senate Bill 277 that would eliminate most personal belief exemptions for school children vaccinations. Today the California Assembly passed the bill ,co-authored by Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), by a 46 to 30 vote.

Prior to the vote, Assembly Member Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) made a floor speech in support of the legislation. In his speech, Cooper decried critics who he said vaccinations cause autism in Black children. 

"There is no scientific evidence that to suggest that Black children are at a high risk for autism due to vaccines," Cooper said. "African-American children actually have one of the highest immunization rates. The opposition efforts to make this a racial issue by spreading misinformation and fear is wrong and shameful."

Copper also called threats made against Senators and Assembly Members "shameful."

The bill will now go back to the Senate for reconciliation before it moves on to Gov. Jerry Brown who is expected to sign it into law. If enacted, California would be the third state that would permit only medical-exemptions for school children vaccinations.