1. Define the following words as used in the article:

• mandatory
• waiver
• opt out
• exempted

2. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

3. How would the new bill change the current law?

4. What allowances do most states currently make for parents?

5. a) Why was the new bill introduced?
b) What still needs to take place before the bill would become law?

6. a) What argument did opponents to the proposed bill make that caused it to stall in the senate committee?
b) What provision did the bill’s authors add that then caused the committee to approve it 7-2?

7. a) For what reason do most parents who oppose vaccinations do so?
b) Do you think these concerns are reasonable?
c) With which side do you agree: the elected officials who want to change the law to protect the public from further preventable diseases like measles, or with parents who want to be allowed to decide what is best for their own children’s health? Explain your answer.