AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37, relative to immunizations.
Summary
SB1030 would delete Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-10-401(a), the provision that states a parent or legal guardian is responsible for ensuring a child receives vaccinations recommended by the CDC or the American Academy of Pediatrics. The bill’s stated purpose is to remove the statutory reference to those outside entities and, in the sponsor’s view, avoid delegating public policy decisions about immunizations to organizations not directly accountable to Tennessee voters or government oversight.
The bill does not appear to create new immunization requirements or exemptions. Instead, it amends Title 37 by striking the subsection that ties parental responsibility to CDC/AAP recommendations. The text expressly states that deleting this subsection will not affect existing immunization laws, rules, or requirements for schools, nurseries, kindergartens, preschools, or child care facilities, suggesting the measure is intended as a narrow statutory revision rather than a broad change to vaccine policy.
Impact
If enacted, SB1030 would remove the specific statutory language in Title 37 that references CDC and AAP vaccination recommendations as the benchmark for parental responsibility. The practical legal effect would be to eliminate that cross-reference from Tennessee law while leaving other school and child-care immunization requirements in place, according to the bill’s own findings. The bill would therefore affect Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-10-401(a) directly, but it would not, on its face, repeal broader immunization mandates or facility-based vaccine rules.
Sentiment
The bill text reflects a strongly supportive and skeptical posture toward outside public-health authorities, emphasizing state sovereignty, nondelegation principles, and parental rights. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented legislative debate or formal vote history to indicate broader chamber sentiment. Based on the bill language alone, the measure appears motivated by concern over reliance on CDC and AAP guidance rather than by opposition to immunization requirements generally.
Contention
The main point of contention is the role of the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics in shaping Tennessee vaccination policy. Supporters of the bill’s approach argue that the General Assembly should not delegate significant policy decisions to entities outside state oversight and that parental rights should be protected from burdens not justified by a compelling state interest. Potential opponents would likely focus on the value of using established medical guidance to inform immunization policy and on whether removing the statutory reference could weaken clarity or consistency in how vaccination responsibilities are defined, even if the bill says existing requirements remain unchanged.