Reps. Matt Shea and Laurie Jinkins debate vaccination exemption – House Bill 1432

March 2, 2017

Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, offered Amendment 196 to House Bill 1432. The amendment would allow religious and philosophical exemptions from school vaccination requirements.

In rebuttal to Rep. Shea’s speech, Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said, “no right in the Constitution ever has been found to be absolute and without limitation.”

Shea responded, saying, “There are, in fact, rights in the Constitution of the United States, enshrined and protected there. And in the Washington State Constitution. And I quote, ‘An ABSOLUTE freedom of conscience.’ I didn’t write those words — our founders did.”

Majority Democrats rejected Shea’s amendment.