health
March 13, 2026
‘Not Going Down Without A Fight’: Hundreds Testify Against Connecticut Bills Expanding State Vaccine Powers
A marathon Connecticut legislative hearing lasting more than 14 hours drew oral and written testimony from over 2,000 parents, medical professionals and community members — most opposing two proposed bills that would expand the state health department’s authority over vaccine recommendations and reinforce the state’s ban on religious exemptions for school immunization requirements.
TL;DR
- A 14-hour legislative hearing in Connecticut featured testimony from over 200 individuals and thousands of written comments, with the majority opposing two proposed bills.
- The bills, SB 450 and HB 5044, seek to expand the state health department's authority over vaccine recommendations for adults and ensure insurance coverage, allowing the state to purchase vaccines outside the CDC.
- A key point of contention is a provision in SB 450 that would eliminate possibilities to challenge the state's ban on religious exemptions for school vaccine requirements, which was enacted in 2021.
- Opponents argue these bills violate religious freedoms and First Amendment protections, especially SB 450, which they claim is designed to shut down a pending lawsuit seeking to reinstate religious exemptions.
- Connecticut is one of many states not following the CDC's latest childhood vaccine recommendations, and Governor Lamont is part of an initiative to coordinate state public health efforts independently of national agencies.
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