Tennessee Senate Passes Bill Allowing Unvaccinated Families To Foster & Adopt, House Committee Hearing Next Week

Image: Bill Sponsor Senator Bo Watson presents SB2359 on the Senate floor. Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –

A bill prohibiting the requirement for immunizations in order to adopt or host a foster child in the state of Tennessee has passed in the Senate.

Senate Bill 2359 (SB2359) “As introduced, prohibits the department of children’s services from requiring an immunization as a condition of adopting or overseeing a child in foster care if an individual or member of an individual’s household objects to immunization on the basis of religious or moral convictions. – Amends TCA Title 4; Title 36; Title 37 and Title 71.”

SB2359, sponsored by Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson-District 11), passed with 24 “Ayes.” Senator Sara Kyle (D-Memphis-District 30) and Senator London Lamar (D-Memphis- District 33) were the only two senators to vote “No,” with Senator Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville-District 20) present but abstaining from the vote.

The companion bill to SB2359, House Bill 1726 (HB1726), has been placed on the House’s Civil Justice Committee calendar for March 6, 2024. Sponsored by Rep. Ron Gant (R-Piperton-District 94), HB1726 combats current vaccine requirements by allowing moral and religious exemptions for Tennessee families who want to foster or adopt children.

In order to voice your support or opposition to House Bill 1726, contact the members of the House Civil Justice Committee listed below prior to their meeting on March 6.

Tennessee House Civil Justice Committee

Andrew Farmer (R) – Chair – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419

Darren Jernigan (D) – Vice-Chair – rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6959

Rush Bricken (R) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7448

Gino Bulso (R) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6808

Kip Capley (R) – rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2190

Rick Eldridge (R) – rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6877

Ron M. Gant (R) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6890

Johnny Garrett (R) – rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3893

Rusty Grills (R) – rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov  – (615) 741-0718

Torrey C. Harris (D) – rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2239

William Lamberth (R) – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980

Mary Littleton (R) – rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov  – (615) 741-7477

Antonio Parkinson (D) – rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4575

Jason Powell (D) – rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6861

Lowell Russell (R) – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736

Robert Stevens (R) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3830

Chris Todd (R) – rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7475

 rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov ; rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov,  rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov,  rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov, rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov, rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov, rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov,  rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov

Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. 

You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com