Prohibits a person in loco parentis from being able to consent to vaccination of a child

State: AZ
Bill Number: SB 1703
Position: SUPPORT
Action Required: NONE
Status: Died, failed to pass House Judiciary Committee before session recessed on 6/13/2023; passed full Senate on 3/21/2023

Legislation Details:

UPDATE: 5/16/2023 - SB 1703 failed to pass the House Judiciary Committee before the session recessed on 6/13/2023 after passing full Senate. To remain active or be carried over, bills have to pass a hearing in the second chamber before the summer recess begins .

UPDATE: 3/23/2023 - SB 1703 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on 3/23/2023. 

UPDATE: 3/21/2023 - SB 1703 passed the Third Reading in the full Senate by a vote of 16 Ayes, 12 Nays and was transmitted to the House on 3/21/2023. 

UPDATE: 3/9/2023 - SB 1703 was reported from the Committee of the Whole with DO PASS as amended recommendation. 

UPDATE: 2/21/2023 - SB 1703 passed the Senate Minority & Majority Caucuses on 2/21/2023. 

UPDATE: 2/18/2023 - SB 1703 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Rules Committee on 2/20/2023 at 1:00 PM in Caucus Room 1.  Agenda - https://www.azleg.gov/getCurrentPDF/?doctype=A&docid=15974 

UPDATE: 2/16/2023 - SB 1703 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on 2/16/2023 by a vote of 3 AYES, 1 NAY, 3 NOT VOTING with an amendment but the amendment did not affect the part of the bill being tracked and supported by NVIC.

UPDATE: 2/11/2023 - SB 1703 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on 2/16/2023 at 8:00 AM in SHR 1.  Agenda - https://www.azleg.gov/getCurrentPDF/?doctype=A&docid=15934

SB 1703 was introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on 2/2/2023.  This bill is sponsored by Senator Wadsack and co-sponsored by Representatives Jones and McGarr. 

This bill addresses the issue of in loco parentis or in place of a parent in multiple sections of state law.  Including, but not limited to adding this new section to current state law, 1-602, The Parents' bill of rights:

UNLESS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW, AN EMPLOYEE OF THIS STATE, OF ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE, OF ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OR OF ANY OTHER INSTITUTION MAY NOT STAND IN LOCO PARENTIS TO A PARENT'S CHILD WITHOUT THE PARENT'S CONSENT.

The bill also removes the ability of a person in loco parentis from being able to consent to vaccination in multiple sections of current law:

A STUDENT shall not be immunized without the informed consent of the parent, OR guardian or person in loco parentis of the STUDENT. A STUDENT who is at least eighteen years of age or is emancipated may consent to immunization.

NVIC supports SB 1703 because it strengthens parental rights and specifically will prevent someone standing in place of a parent from consenting to vaccination of a child. 

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/79390?SessionId=127 - text, status and history for SB 1703

 


in loco parentis