By Steven Allen Adams, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
CHARLESTON – After weeks of anticipation, the West Virginia House of Delegates narrowly defeated Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s bill that would have allowed for parents and guardians to use a religious exemption to the state’s mandatory school-age immunization program.
The House defeated Senate Bill 460, relating to vaccine requirements, in a 42-56 vote Monday afternoon after more than two hours of debate with just under three weeks left in the 2025 legislative session.
SB 460, as amended by the House Friday, would have allowed for a religious exemption to vaccines for students attending public schools, with the parent/guardian submitting a written statement of the exemption to the school administrator or state-regulated child care center.
“Senate Bill 460 updates the medical exemption process and provides for a religious exemption to the compulsory immunization requirements,” explained House Health and Human Resources Committee Chairman Evan Worrell, R-Cabell.
