STATE HOUSE – The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs is scheduled to hold Public Hearings on six bills on, what is being billed by supporters as, “Medical Freedom Day” at the Legislature.
Collectively, they propose to ensure access to education for all students by reinstating religious and philosophical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines approved under emergency use authorizations.
“Having served on the Education Committee….and after testimony about vaccine injury and death, I came to understand why we need exemptions, I concluded that schools should not withhold an education from children.” – Rep. Gary Drinkwater (R-Milford)
My bill prohibits certain postsecondary educational institutions from requiring students be immunized with a vaccine that is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration under emergency use authorization. These vaccines provide no legal recourse if someone becomes injured or dies.” – Rep. Katrina Smith (R-Palermo)
“LD 198 provides a religious or philosophical exemption for students in elementary, secondary and postsecondary schools and employees of nursery schools and certain health care facilities.” – Rep. Barbara Bagshaw (R-Windham)
“Online and private schools should not be subject to vaccines mandates. Currently, kids can attend church and Sunday school together but going to private school the next day is deemed a public health crisis? It’s especially ridiculous that the legislature mandated vaccines for online schools. It’s clear that the science does not justify either of these prohibitions.” – Rep. David Boyer (R- Poland)
WHAT: Public Hearings on Medical Freedom bills:
- LD 51 – “An Act to Restore Religious and Philosophical Exemptions to Immunization Requirements”– Rep. Gary Drinkwater (R-Milford)
- LD 869 – “An Act to Protect Education Access by Providing a Mandate for Schoolchildren for a COVID-19 Vaccine or a Vaccine Under an Emergency Use Authorization” – Sen. Lisa Keim (Oxford)
- LD 1098 – “An Act to Restore Religious and Philosophical Exemptions Regarding Immunization Requirements” – Rep. Barbara Bagshaw (R-Windham)
- LD 1148 – “An Act to Prohibit COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Students Enrolled in Public Institutions of Learning” – Sen. Eric Brakey (Androscoggin)
- LD 1209 – “ An Act to Reinstate the Religious and Philosophical Vaccine Exemptions for Private Schools and Virtual Public Charter Schools” Rep. David Boyer (R-Poland)
- LD 1228 – “An Act to Prohibit Certain Higher Education Institutions from Requiring Vaccines Approved Under Emergency Use Authorization for Admission or Attendance” – Rep. Katrina Smith (R-Palermo)
WHERE: Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, Cross Building, Room 208
WHEN: Monday, April 3, 2023 beginning at 10:00 AM
A large crowd of supporters will rally beforehand between the State House and the Cross Building beginning at 8:00 AM.
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