OCEANetwork informed Oregon Homeschoolers about HB 3063, the Vaccinations Bill in the Oregon House. (You can download the bill language by clicking here.) We took a neutral position on the bill because it was not about homeschooling, per se.
However after examining existing statute language, OCEANetwork determined that HB 3063 would force homeschooled children in some co-ops to be vaccinated. On March 1, before close of testimony, we notified the House Committee On Health Care that OCEANetwork is opposed to the bill as written.
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Here is what we told the Committee:
“House Bill 3063 presents a direct threat to the homeschoolers of Oregon. Our co-ops and other activities are an important part of our education infrastructure. Some use facilities that also house certified children’s facilities, such as churches. Oregon statute unfortunately defines any group which shares the premises with a certified child care facility as also being a children’s facility.
“ORS 433.235
(2) “Children’s facility” or “facility” means:
(b) A program operated by, or sharing the premises with, a certified child care facility, school or post-secondary institution where care is provided to children, six weeks of age to kindergarten entry, except as exempted by rule of the authority
“This means that HB 3063 enforces vaccinations on all homeschooled children who participate in such co-ops or activities.
“On behalf of our homeschool constituents statewide, we respectfully request that a blanket vaccination waiver for all homeschool-related groups and activities be added to HB 3063.
“OCEANetwork opposes HB 3063 as written.”
We will continue to track this bill and alert you if action is needed.
Rodger Williams
OCEANetwork Freedom Watch Team
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