By Rady Ananda

In January, Representative John D. Keenan of Salem, Massachusetts introduced a bill to allow students not immunized to be admitted to schools upon the written request of a parent. After all, if vaccines are effective, then those who take them are protected from those who don't.

“Rep. Keenan filed this legislation ‘on behalf of’ a constituent,” his Chief of Staff, Lynne Montague, told COTO Report. “In Massachusetts, constituents may file bills via his/her elected official by ‘the right of free petition.’”

Currently, the bill is before the Committee on Public Health and there is no set time for its report. If the Committee reports the bill favorably (with or without amendments) this session, it will be forwarded on for the next appropriate committee to review. If the measure is reported adversely, it will not advance unless it’s overturned by either branch.

On June 28, a public hearing was held where proponents of the measure argued about the health risks of vaccines and the right of health freedom -- to opt for or reject medical procedures and still be allowed full participation in society. Here is some of that testimony:

The text of the bill reads as follows:

Bill H.1055 An Act relative to childhood immunizations

The second paragraph of section 15 of chapter 76 of the general laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:-

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section a child shall, upon written request of a parent to the school, be admitted to school.

Last week, the bill was sent to the Joint Public Health Committee for review. Citizens of Massachusetts interested in supporting the bill should write the following PHC members:

Senate Members on Mass. Public Health Committee:

Susan C. Fargo, Senate Chair
Harriette L. Chandler, Senate Vice Chair

Senate Members: Katherine Clark, Michael F. Rush. James E. Timilty, and Robert L. Hedlund

House Members on Mass. Public Health Committee:

Jeffrey Sanchez, House Chair
Jason M. Lewis, House Vice Chair

House Members: Christine E. Canavan, Christopher G. Fallon, Ruth B. Balser, Carl M. Sciortino, Jr, Carolyn C. Dykema, Denise C. Garlick, John J. Mahoney, Paul Adams, and George T. Ross

The Canary Party has taken up the cause of health freedom, believing:

"The unfettered march of the medical industrial complex is a threat to Western society as we know it: to the lives of children and those who serve and defend us in our armed forces, to our right to choose the medical procedures we receive and to our rights to participate in society if we dissent. This all must change."

You can help get this bird off the ground by supporting the Canary Party.

Rady Ananda specializes in Natural Resources and administers the sites COTO Report and Food Freedom.