Ohio bill would require vaccinations for daycare

Ohio children would be required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend licensed day care and preschool under bipartisan legislation introduced last week (Source: "Bill would require vaccines for children in day care,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 14, 2014). 

House Bill 536 would require children be immunized according to the schedule set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before attending a center or home daycare center licensed by the state. Ohio is the only state without immunization requirements for children in licensed pre-kindergarten settings. 

The bill maintains exemptions for medical or religious and personal reasons.

Under existing state law, parents submit a medical form to the child care provider. Bill sponsor Rep. Nickie Antonio, a Lakewood Democrat, said under House Bill 536, the form would include space to note immunizations and require a physician's signature to be complete.

"At the end of the day, we believe immunizations are very important, preventative health care is extreme important," said joint sponsor Rep. Ryan Smith, a Bidwell Republican. "As the father of four, it's important to me."