A proposal by a New Mexico lawmaker would tighten rules that currently allow parents to seek vaccine exemptions for their children over religious beliefs.
The measure sponsored by Democratic Rep. Deborah Armstrong of Albuquerque would still allow for waivers to be approved for others reasons, including medical conditions.
Armstrong says she's not attacking religious beliefs and that the measure would in effect eliminate the parental ability to assert that a child's religious beliefs clash with immunization.
Religious reasons would still be grounds for an exemption, but only if a clergy member affirmed in an affidavit or written statement that teachings call only on reliance of prayer or spiritual means for healing.
Childhood vaccine has become a hot topic amid a measles outbreak that has hit more than 140 people across the nation.
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