Representatives Miller and Robb Blasdel Introduce Parental C.H.O.I.C.E. Act
Legislation Aims to Protect Parental Rights Regarding Vaccine Exemptions in School Settings
COLUMBUS – State Representatives Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland) and Monica Robb Blasdel (R-New Waterford) recently introduced House Bill 561, the Parental Clarity on Health Options and Information on Conscientious Exemptions (C.H.O.I.C.E) Act.
Under Ohio law, there are conscientious, religious, and medical vaccine exemptions for children to attend licensed daycares, preschools, and K-12 public and nonpublic chartered schools. This legislation aims to ensure parents are fully informed of their rights, exemptions are upheld, and students are protected from being unjustly excluded from school due to their vaccine status.
“Anytime a school requires vaccines, parents should also be informed of the exemptions provided under Ohio law,” said Miller. “The Parental C.H.O.I.C.E Act ensures families are fully informed and empowered to make choices that fit their values and circumstances.”
“This bill is about transparency and fairness,” said Rep. Robb Blasdel. “Ohio parents should never be denied their lawful rights or face confusion about the exemption process. The C.H.O.I.C.E. Act protects those rights while ensuring schools remain compliant with state law.”
Key provisions of the Parental C.H.O.I.C.E. Act are as follows:
Requires all K–12 schools, preschools, and daycares that mandate vaccines to honor Ohio’s current medical, religious, and conscientious exemptions;
Prohibits schools from requiring additional documentation or forcing parents to use a specific exemption form;
Requires schools to clearly inform parents of exemption rights and cite the relevant law in all communications about vaccine requirements;
Removes the hepatitis B vaccine requirement for preschoolers to align with federal recommendations;
Establishes a process by which parents may report violations to the Department of Children and Youth; and
Prohibits schools from excluding healthy, uninfected children from attendance solely based on their vaccination status during disease outbreaks if they have a lawful exemption.
The Parental C.H.O.I.C.E. Act awaits a House committee assignment.
