GOP lawmakers revolt against proposal to require Louisiana students to get COVID vaccines

Republican state lawmakers are lining up against a proposal from Louisiana's health department that would require students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 — or submit a written dissent — to attend schools, daycares and universities.

The mandate would only apply to age groups that are fully approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to receive the jab, which at the moment, includes those age 16 and up. And parents could easily opt-out of the requirement, without having to provide justification, by signing a simple statement of exemption.

Still, news of the forthcoming rule aroused anger among some GOP state lawmakers, who characterized the proposal as an example of government overreach.

"This is a line in the sand that will not be crossed," House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, a Gonzales Republican, texted lawmakers Saturday.

Read more: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/coronavirus/article_2f94d15e-4baf-11ec-9041-4f0e9d4e7ff6.html