Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Senate File 54

Most Wyoming college students would be required to get vaccinated against meningitis and those in a state scholarship program would be required to perform volunteer civic service each semester in order to remain eligible for the money, under separate bills recommended Monday by Senate committees.
The Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee voted 3-2 to advance Senate File 54, which would require the meningitis vaccinations for students within 30 days of enrolling at the University of Wyoming and the state's community colleges.
Separately, the Senate Education Committee voted 5-0 to advance Senate File 98, which would require students receiving Hathaway scholarships perform some kind of community service. Both proposals go to the full Senate for consideration.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, said his proposal would provide exemptions for religious or medical reasons. "This is not forced vaccination," he said.
According to the state Health Department, there were 26 cases of bacterial meningitis in Wyoming from 2001-11, four of which resulted in death. There were no cases in Albany County where the University of Wyoming is located.

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