Rep. Yarbrough files amendment to stop vaccine mandates on foster/adoptive families

Did you know that Alabama requires any parents desiring to foster/adopt in our state be completely vaccinated? These requirements also extend to their own biological children that are in the home, right down to the COVID vaccine, as the DHR rule states that all children in the home must be vaccinated according to the CDC childhood schedule.

Rep. Yarbrough wants to change this terrible vaccine mandate imposed upon selfless families who seek to foster and adopt children in Alabama. With 5,700 children in foster care in Alabama and only 2,360 available foster homes, we support his efforts. Read further for details on the drama that unfolded this past week and what you can do to make a change.

On Thursday, 03/23/2023, an important bill regarding adoptions by Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg) was heard on the floor of the House of Representatives. The intent of this bill was to streamline the adoption process. No doubt, this is an important piece of legislation for the precious children awaiting a loving family through foster care and adoption.

Arguments were made for the bill, concerns were raised, questions were asked....and then Rep. Ernie Yarbrough bravely came to the mic to speak.

As you will see in the video, Rep. Yarbrough raised the red flag that there are loving and capable families in this state who desire to foster and adopt Alabama's children in need but are DENIED the ability based on their vaccination status. Rep. Yarbrough stood as a voice for not only health freedom but as a voice to advocate for MORE families in Alabama to be able to serve and love on these kiddos.

Rep. Yarbrough proposed an amendment simply stated, "No rule or regulation of any state department shall prevent an adoption or deny foster certification, licensure, or placement based on the vaccination status of any individual."

After an amendment is filed to a bill, TYPICALLY the House members would then vote on whether or not to accept the amendment. INSTEAD, the bill sponsor Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg), made a motion to table the amendment (this means she made a motion to kill the amendment) and the majority of House members voted the amendment down and it did not pass.

How could these legislators not see the value in removing vaccine mandates and vaccine status discriminatory policies that actually limit the number of families willing and able to foster/adopt?

However, all is not lost. Rep. Yarbrough may not have been able to pass his amendment BUT he did get a very important roll call vote. This enables YOU to know exactly which legislators voted the WRONG way.

As a side note, you will hear an argument from Rep. Shaver regarding "federal funding" which seems to be the go-to argument for many establishment legislators but they never can seem to expound on that. Furthermore, there is evidence to support that she is incorrect.

Watch the video above and then read on to see how your House Representative voted.

The image below is the voting record for the Motion to Table Rep. Ernie Yarbrough's amendment that would have removed vaccine mandates on foster/adoptive families.

FOR CLARITY: The 'YEAS' are the ones who voted AGAINST the amendment that would have removed the vaccine mandates for both foster parents and the biological children of the foster parents.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. If you see your reps name on the "YEAS" list, they voted the WRONG way. Contact them ASAP and hold them accountable for their vote which did not stop vaccine mandates for foster/adoptive families. Let them know your thoughts on the issue.

Remind them that the Alabama Health Freedom Act will be coming before them at some point and that you expect them to support that legislation AS IS so that we can end vaccine status discrimination like this in Alabama!

2. The bill moves on to the Senate next. Contact your senator and insist that they add Rep. Yarbrough’s amendment stopping vaccine mandates for foster families to the Adoption bill.

Need help finding out who your rep is or find their contact info? Check out this link on our website to make it easy for you! HERE