Sen. Richard Pan Makes Final Push For HIs Vaccination Bill

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A California lawmaker who is proposing to limit the number of schoolchildren who are exempt from being vaccinated says he's optimistic his bill will advance.

Sen. Richard Pan says he's made changes allowing families that opt out of vaccines to homeschool their children together and allowing students to seek independent study.

The bill by the Democratic pediatrician from Sacramento was delayed last week after members of the Senate Education Committee worried it would deprive unvaccinated children from receiving an adequate education.

The committee is scheduled to vote Wednesday, after one committee member was replaced and another added.

The bill has generated intense debates pitting parental rights against public health safety. Hundreds of opponents have flooded the Capitol recently but it has broad support from medical, education and public health groups.