A Republican lawmaker has added an amendment to an immunization bill that would allow for a greater number of parents to opt out of vaccinations altogether.

The amended version would allow parents to forgo vaccinations for their children based on "personal beliefs." Montana law already allows exemptions for medical reasons and religious beliefs. It passed the House on a 95-4 vote this week.

Republican Rep. Greg Hertz, who added the amendment, said he did so to extend rights to parents who are not religious, giving them a route to opt out of vaccinations.

The Democratic sponsor of the bill, Rep. Margie MacDonald, said she plans to ask a Senate committee to remove the amendment. Her original bill sought to add chicken pox and whooping cough to the list of required childhood vaccines. - [Link]