Policy Summary:
This policy prohibits licensed childcare providers from denying enrollment to children who have legal vaccination exemptions. It establishes vaccination status as a protected class for the purpose of early education access, ensuring that no child is excluded from childcare due to medical, religious, or philosophical exemption from vaccines.
The Problem:
Children with valid nonmedical or medical vaccine exemptions are currently being denied access to licensed childcare facilities, despite following the exemption process outlined by state law.
This creates a legal contradiction: families are told they have the right to opt out of certain vaccines, but then punished by losing access to childcare—an essential service for working families. This particularly harms low- and middle-income parents who rely on childcare in order to work and support their families.
Furthermore, vaccine requirements for children under 2 years old—such as Hepatitis B, which is primarily transmitted through high-risk behaviors—are disproportionate and unnecessary in a childcare setting.
The Solution:
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Establish vaccination status as a protected class under federal civil rights law, for the purposes of accessing childcare and early childhood education.
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Prohibit childcare centers that receive state or federal funding or licensing from denying admission to children with legal vaccine exemptions.
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Prevent providers from imposing additional enrollment restrictions that override lawful exemptions.
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Guarantee that children with exemptions cannot be excluded from classroom participation unless a confirmed outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease is occurring, as determined by public health authorities.
Why It Matters:
Parents have the legal right to exempt their children from vaccines. That right should be respected, not penalized.
No child should be excluded from learning or care based on their vaccine status.
Families should not be coerced into medical decisions by the threat of losing childcare.
Medical freedom, parental rights, and educational access are foundational American values that must be upheld.
Call to Action:
Support the Medical Freedom in Early Education Act and stand up for freedom of choice, family autonomy, and the right of every child to learn, grow, and thrive—regardless of vaccination status.