MADISON – Today, Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) introduced a pair of bills to expand vaccine access and increase immunization rates in Wisconsin. The legislation, introduced with Senators Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), gives Wisconsin residents and health care providers more avenues to increase immunization rates and protect against outbreaks of preventable communicable diseases.
“Vaccines are critical to the health of our children and communities and ultimately save lives,” said Rep. Subeck. “Wisconsin’s continued decline in immunization rates is alarming, leaving Wisconsinites vulnerable to dangerous yet preventable contagious diseases.”
Wisconsin is among the states with the broadest exemptions from school or childcare vaccination requirements, making opting out far too easy while simultaneously putting classrooms and communities at risk. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the number of students with a waiver for one or more immunizations rose from 3.4% in the 2004–05 school year to 6.7% in 2024–25. Additionally, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that 7.6% of Wisconsin kindergartners had an opt-out for non-medical reasons in 2024–25, representing a 1.9% increase compared to the 2019–20 school year, and is more than double the national rate of 3.6%.
In 2025, there have been at least 36 confirmed cases of measles in Wisconsin and 696 cases of whooping cough, resulting in 26 hospitalizations.
“Especially at a time when our federal government is spreading misinformation and out-and-out lies about vaccines, we must take proactive steps to keep our communities safe and healthy,” said Rep. Subeck. ” Unfortunately, fear-mongering promoted by President Trump’s handpicked health secretary, RFK Jr., has contributed to a significant decline in vaccination rates, leading to alarming outbreaks of once nearly extinct diseases.”
The immunization-related bills introduced today include:
- LRB 0015/1 (Subeck/Roys) allows minors aged 16 years or older to make their own vaccination choices. There is evidence that when given complete information and control over their preventive medical care, teenagers will choose to receive vaccinations previously withheld by their families.
- LRB 0016/1 (Subeck/Larson) ends the personal conviction waiver for opting out of vaccinations. Wisconsin has one of the broadest vaccination exemption allowances in the nation, being one of the few states that allow waivers for medical, religious, and personal reasons. The personal conviction clause is the only exemption addressed in this legislation.
“Vaccines are a safe and effective tool to prevent dangerous, sometimes life-threatening illnesses like measles and polio,” said Rep. Subeck. “Ensuring every child who can be vaccinated has the opportunity to receive immunizations is critical to protecting the health of our children and our communities.”
Rep. Subeck represents the 79th Assembly District and serves as Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus.
