Legislature OKs bill limiting measles vaccine exemptions

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Washington Legislature has approved a measure to remove parents' ability to claim a personal or philosophical exemption to vaccinating their school-age children for measles.

The House voted 56-40 Tuesday to concur with amendments made in the Senate. The bill now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee, who has expressed support for limiting exemptions following a measles outbreak in the state that sickened 74 people.

Washington is among 17 states that allow some type of non-medical vaccine exemption for personal or philosophical beliefs.

In addition, medical and religious exemptions exist for attendance at the state's public or private schools or licensed day-care centers. Medical and religious exemptions remain in place under the measure.

The last case identified in southwestern Washington's Clark County — where 73 of the cases have been reported — was on March 18. An outbreak is considered over after 42 days with no new cases.