Tennessee Moves to Strengthen Parental Rights Over Vaccination Decisions

In a bold step toward preserving parental authority and limiting federal overreach, Tennessee lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 1030 (SB1030) and House Bill 1156 (HB1156,  which seek to eliminate the requirement that parents adhere to a vaccine schedule dictated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

This bill, sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling and Representative Susan Lynn, reaffirms that Tennessee parents—not unelected federal agencies or private organizations—should decide what medical choices are best for their children.

Why This Bill Matters: Keeping Vaccine Decisions in Parents' Hands

Under current law, Tennessee parents are held responsible for ensuring their children follow the vaccination schedule recommended by the CDC and AAP. The problem? Neither of these entities is accountable to Tennessee’s elected officials or its citizens.

• The CDC is a federal agency that operates under Washington bureaucrats, not Tennessee voters.
• The AAP is a private organization, not a government entity, meaning its recommendations lack state oversight.
• The General Assembly cannot delegate its legislative power to organizations outside of the state’s jurisdiction without violating the nondelegation doctrine, a principle that prevents lawmakers from handing over their constitutional authority to unaccountable third parties.

Tennessee’s Constitution affirms that vaccination laws, if implemented, must be overseen by state government—not federal bureaucrats or medical lobbying groups. By removing the current requirement that parents comply with CDC and AAP recommendations, SB1030/HB1156 ensures that any future changes to vaccination policy in Tennessee are made only with proper legislative oversight and accountability.

Protecting Parental Rights from Federal Overreach

Parents, not government agencies, have the fundamental right to make medical decisions for their children. Tennessee’s Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act ensures that government intervention in parental decisions is only justified when serving a compelling governmental interest of the highest order and using the least restrictive means to do so.

SB1030/HB1156 aligns with this principle by ensuring that no federal agency or private organization can impose mandates on Tennessee families without state legislative approval.

Importantly, this bill does NOT change existing immunization laws for schools, daycares, or childcare facilities. It simply removes the automatic obligation for parents to comply with an external organization’s guidelines.

A Necessary Step for Medical Freedom

While vaccines remain an important tool in public health, Tennessee families deserve the right to make informed medical choices without coercion. SB1030/HB1156 ensures that parents are not forced to comply with changing CDC recommendations that could be influenced by politics, corporate interests, or shifting scientific opinions.

Tennessee is leading the charge in defending parental rights, standing strong against federal overreach, and keeping medical decisions where they belong—in the hands of parents, not unelected bureaucrats.

 Take Action: Defend Parental Choice!

This bill is a major step toward restoring parental autonomy in Tennessee. Contact your legislators today and urge them to support SB1030/HB1156 to protect Tennessee families from federal overreach and reaffirm the state’s authority over medical decisions.

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