Religious parents sue California to exempt children from public school vaccination requirements

A religious liberty nonprofit has filed a lawsuit against the state of California for refusing to recognize religious exemptions to public school vaccination mandates, declaring the issue may ultimately have to be taken to the United States Supreme Court.

In 2015, former California Democrat Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 277, which forbade exemptions from immunization requirements for any reasons other than medical as a condition of enrollment in public or private schools and daycares. Last year, current Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to add the controversial COVID-19 shots to the list of required immunizations, but eventually gave up on the plan.

On October 31, Advocates for Faith & Freedom announced that they have filed a lawsuit challenging SB 277 on behalf of four California parents, arguing that it constitutes religious discrimination and interferes with parents’ right to make health decisions for their children.