Montana SB474: Require acceptance of religious and personal medical exemptions to required immunizations

What the bill says

A bill for an act entitled: "an act requiring acceptance of religious exemptions and personal medical informed consent exemptions to required immunizations; providing relief for violations of religious exemptions; providing a definition; providing that the acceptance of an exemption to required immunizations does not create a civil liability for certain authorities; amending section sections 20-5-405, and 49-2-312, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REQUIRING ACCEPTANCE OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS AND PERSONAL MEDICAL INFORMED CONSENT EXEMPTIONS TO REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS; PROVIDING RELIEF FOR VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS; PROVIDING A DEFINITION; PROVIDING THAT THE ACCEPTANCE OF AN EXEMPTION TO REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS DOES NOT CREATE A CIVIL LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN AUTHORITIES; AMENDING SECTION SECTIONS 20-5-405, AND 49-2-312, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Acceptance of religious exemptions to immunizations required -- immunity -- definition. (1) For the purposes of this chapter, discrimination on the basis of religion includes denials of requests for an exemption from an otherwise required immunization as defined in 20-5-402 based on the individual's religion. (2) A person that accepts an individual's religious exemption from an immunization is not liable for civil damages from an injury arising out of the individual's nonimmunized status. NEW SECTION. Section 2. Acceptance of religious exemption from immunization. For the purposes of this chapter, discrimination on the basis of religion includes denials of requests for an exemption from an otherwise required immunization based on the individual's religion. Section 1. Section 20-5-405, MCA, is amended to read: "20-5-405. Exemptions -- limitations on agency actions. (1) (a) There is a religious exemption to the immunizations required under 20-5-403. …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Emrich, Daniel (R, 11) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 23, 2025: (S) Died in Process
2. April 11, 2025: (H) Take from Committee; Place on 2nd Reading
3. April 10, 2025: (S) Revised Fiscal Note Printed
4. April 10, 2025: (H) Tabled in Committee
5. April 10, 2025: (H) Hearing
6. April 10, 2025: (H) Rereferred to Committee
7. April 9, 2025: (S) Fiscal Note Unsigned
8. April 9, 2025: (S) Revised Fiscal Note Received
9. April 9, 2025: (H) Committee Report
10. April 9, 2025: (H) Committee Executive Action

Votes

• Take from table in APH to second reading - Deming (April 11, 2025): 42 yea, 55 nay, failed
• Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 28 yea, 21 nay, passed
• Do Pass As Amended (March 5, 2025): 29 yea, 21 nay, passed
• AMD-SB0474.002.002 Webber D/PASS (March 5, 2025): 22 yea, 28 nay, failed
• AMD-SB0474.002.001 Emrich D/PASS (March 5, 2025): 35 yea, 15 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB474?

SB474 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Require acceptance of religious and personal medical exemptions to required immunizations.

What does SB474 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act requiring acceptance of religious exemptions and personal medical informed consent exemptions to required immunizations; providing relief for violations of religious exemptions; providing a definition; providing that the acceptance of an exemption to required immunizations does not create a civil liability for certain authorities; amending section sections 20-5-405, and 49-2-312, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.".

What is the status of SB474?

Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Process (May 23, 2025).

Who sponsored SB474?

Emrich, Daniel (R, 11).

Where is the official record for SB474?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1427