DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Senate Republicans sent a bill to the governor’s desk on Tuesday morning that changes the requirements for how parents and guardians are notified about immunization exemptions in K-12 schools.

For several sessions lawmakers have attempted to pass the bill. It failed in the Iowa Senate in 2024, but just a year later it cleared by the majority party in a 32 to 16 vote.

The bill requires communication about vaccine exemptions, and exemption requirements must be available for parents or guardians for public or private school students K-12 and child care facilities. That information can be available on a website or on school registration documentation.

“This isn’t a pro-vaccine bill or an anti-vaccine bill. This is called an honesty bill,” said State Senator Jesse Green (R), District 24 from Harcourt. “What’s troubling to me is a handful of schools in the state that decide it’s okay to lie to parents about if you don’t receive shots or you can’t send your kids to school. That is a lie.”

Senate Democrats worried about herd immunity for diseases, like measles, when parents may be encouraged to opt their student out of certain vaccines.

“This bill sends the wrong message,” said Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner (D), District 45 from Iowa City. “This bill seeks to ensure that more people feel free and we are actually encouraged to opt out of life saving vaccines.”

Governor Reynolds is now able to sign the bill into law.

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