Legislation Introduced Would Require Enhanced, Informed Consent for Infant Vaccinations

Legislation introduced in the State House by Representative Jeff Hilovsky and Senator Bryant Richardson would require enhanced informed consent before vaccines are administered to infants under 12 months of age. House Bill 422 states that providers must discuss possible side effects, vaccine overlap and how to report events or file claims. A signed acknowledgment form developed by DHSS is required. This also mandates that vaccination history be documented in every SIDS/SUID investigation to support accurate cause-of-death determinations. These measures bring greater transparency to families following the loss of healthy infants shortly after routine vaccinations.

The measure is currently in the House Health & Human Development Committee.