SCS SB 104 -- HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS IMMUNIZATIONS

SPONSOR:  Justus (Ruestman)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Health
Care Policy by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute requires each public school district to provide
to the Department of Health and Senior Services the names and
addresses of all parents and guardians of female students
entering the sixth grade for the purpose of mailing each parent
or guardian information regarding the connection between human
papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer and that an immunization
against HPV infection is available.

The parent or guardian will be requested to voluntarily provide
within 20 school days of the first day of school a written
statement indicating whether the student has received or is
receiving the immunization or that the parent or guardian has
decided not to have the student immunized.  If a parent or
guardian chooses to have the student immunized but is unable to
pay for it, the student will be immunized at public expense,
subject to appropriations, in a manner determined by the
department.  Beginning July 1, 2010, the substitute requires the
department to submit a report to the General Assembly regarding
the number of students who have not been immunized against HPV
and the number of non-responses to the request for voluntary
reporting.

A student will not be prevented from attending school if she has
not been immunized against HPV or if her parent or guardian does
not return the statement.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Unknown
up to $2,335,220 in FY 2010, Unknown up to $2,405,277 in FY 2011,
and Unknown up to $2,477,435 in FY 2012.  No impact on Other
State Funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill does not mandate
vaccination against human papillomavirus and is not an insurance
mandate but only provides information to parents and guardians
regarding vaccination.  The only responsibility schools will have
is to provide the list of the names of parents and guardians to
the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Justus; Missouri Family
Network; and American Cancer Society.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the drug company
that offers the vaccine should reimburse the state for the
educational materials and that sexually transmitted diseases are
an epidemic that is not being addressed.

Testifying against the bill was Concerned Women for America of
Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:26 am