As the “medical freedom” bill that would make it easier for parents to let their children go unvaccinated heads to the Senate floor, House Speaker Daniel Perez said Wednesday that his chamber won’t consider similar legislation (HB 917).
The proclamation brings to an end, for now, the 2026 legislative debate on the legislation, a priority for Gov. Ron DeSantis in his eighth — and final — regular legislative session.
“That’s a bill that wasn’t heard in the House. It wasn’t heard in the committee process and, obviously, we function different than the Senate. A bill that hasn’t moved in the House is not gonna be brought up at this time,” Perez said during a media availability.
The DeSantis administration announced last fall it wanted to eliminate every vaccine mandate from Florida statutes.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who has been highly critical of mRNA vaccines, made the call to get rid of all vaccine mandates contained in both state rules and law even though many of those mandates have been considered a public health success.
Florida law contains a number of immunization requirements for the young and the old. There are vaccine mandates for school-age children, college students, and nursing home residents
Immunization for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, pertussis, mumps, and tetanus are required for entry and attendance in Florida schools, childcare facilities, and family daycare homes.
The state allows exemptions for valid medical reasons but also for religious and certain belief systems and, in some cases, allows personal exemptions for philosophical beliefs.
Passed by the Senate Rules Committee Tuesday, SB 1756 still would require children to be vaccinated before entering a Florida school or day care. But the bill would expand the pathway for exemptions allowing parents and guardians to opt out of those vaccinations based on their consciences.
Offered by Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, the bill also would allow for the behind-the-counter sale of ivermectin, which the governor and first Lady Casey DeSantis have promoted to treat COVID-19. That means a pharmacist needs to help customers make the purchase.
The vaccine debate comes as the number of measles cases in Florida is on the rise.
The most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show 107 confirmed measles cases in Florida as of Feb. 26.
South Carolina leads the nation in confirmed measles cases — 653 — followed by Utah with 149.
Nationwide, there were 1,136 confirmed cases.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.This article appears in Mar. 05 – 11, 2026.