_____________ resolution NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA PROCLAIMING OPPOSITION TO A COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT BEING IMPOSED AS A CONDITION OF ATTENDANCE IN MONTANA PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

WHEREAS, decisions regarding the health care of children should be made by parents and not coerced in any manner by the state; and

WHEREAS, seeking medical or religious exemptions to student immunization requirements as a condition of attendance pursuant to section 20-5-403, MCA, places an unnecessary burden on students and families; and

WHEREAS, decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for K-12 students should not be a burden for Montana families, but rather a free choice.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the members of this House of Representatives oppose a COVID-19 vaccination requirement being imposed as a condition of attendance for any Montana public elementary or secondary school.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of this House of Representatives remind the Board of Public Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and local school board trustees that while this chamber respects the shared governance of Montana's system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools under Article X of the Montana Constitution, this chamber deeply honors the rights of parents to act in the best interests of their children and retains sole power to initiate appropriations under Article VIII, section 14, of the Montana Constitution and Joint Rule 40-20 of the Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives send a copy of this resolution to the Board of Public Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who shall distribute a copy of the resolution to the boards of trustees of every school district.