Vaccines; religious exemption for K-12 students, further provided for; religious exemption for students at public institutions of higher education, provided
Summary
SB85, the Alabama Vaccination Exemption Bill, revises state law governing vaccine and testing requirements for students in public K-12 schools and public institutions of higher education. For K-12 students, it expands and clarifies the process for obtaining exemptions from vaccination or testing requirements, including a written parental statement based on sincerely held religious beliefs and a separate written statement that can serve as an exemption without the parent or guardian having to explain the reason, obtain third-party certification, or secure approval from the local school board. The bill also preserves medical exemptions supported by certification from a competent medical authority.
For public colleges and universities, the bill prohibits vaccine or disease-testing requirements as a condition of enrollment or attendance unless the institution offers both religious and medical exemptions. The religious exemption process is similarly simplified: a student may submit a written statement, along with a recent physical evaluation form, and the institution may not require additional forms, fees, documentation, or outside approval. Medical exemptions remain available through certification by a competent medical authority. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill amends Section 16-30-3 of the Code of Alabama 1975 and would broaden and standardize exemption rights for vaccine and testing requirements across public K-12 schools and public higher education institutions. It limits the ability of schools and colleges to impose additional procedural hurdles for religious exemptions and requires public colleges to offer both religious and medical exemptions if they maintain vaccine or testing mandates. The practical effect is to reduce institutional discretion and make exemption access more uniform for parents, guardians, and students.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable support in the Senate, where it passed on third reading by a 26-5 vote after earlier procedural votes also succeeded. The vote totals suggest a clear majority in favor, though not unanimous support. The available record does not include committee debate, but the floor votes indicate the measure was broadly accepted by most senators while still drawing a meaningful minority of opposition.
Contention
The main point of contention is the extent to which schools and colleges should be allowed to require vaccines or testing and how easily exemptions should be granted. Supporters appear to favor stronger protections for religious belief and simpler exemption procedures, while opponents likely object to weakening public health safeguards, reducing institutional oversight, or limiting the ability of schools to verify exemption claims. The bill’s requirement that public higher education institutions offer both religious and medical exemptions, and its prohibition on additional documentation or approval steps, are the most likely sources of disagreement.