Governor Newsom made an announcement on Friday, October 1, 2021, regarding a statewide COVID-19 vaccine mandate for K-12 students. We want our families to know that Hemet Unified is not currently requiring the new COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Like you, we were notified of the order at the same time on Friday and through the Governor’s streamed press conference. The written order has not been made public for review. However, according to our education associations and initial assessments, the mandate may not be effective until July 2022. We also understand a key component of the order states:
Requirements established by regulation, not legislation, must be subject to exemptions “for both medical reasons and personal beliefs.” (HSC section 120338). This means since the mandate is established by executive order, medical, religious, and personal belief exemptions will be accepted. Senate Bill 277 (SB) has a caveat that when a new vaccine is added to the list of the current requirements, there may be an exemption for personal beliefs.
Hemet Unified continues to be a strong supporter of parental rights to the fullest extent of the law. We will continue to advocate for parent choice, this is and has been the position of the Board of Education and the District.
There are currently legal actions in the California Courts regarding mandates for K-12 around pandemic regulations such as vaccines, masks, and quarantining. The court is scheduled to hear these arguments in November. We will continue to update families as more information becomes available.
We appreciate the respectful communications we have received from families regarding their beliefs (either for or against) current guidelines. While this pandemic has caused a lot of heartbreak and turmoil, one bright spot is that we have more families that are involved and willing to partner with schools for the betterment of the future of our communities, and for that we thank you.
Requirements established by regulation, not legislation, must be subject to exemptions “for both medical reasons and personal beliefs.” (HSC section 120338). This means since the mandate is established by executive order, medical, religious, and personal belief exemptions will be accepted. Senate Bill 277 (SB) has a caveat that when a new vaccine is added to the list of the current requirements, there may be an exemption for personal beliefs.
Hemet Unified continues to be a strong supporter of parental rights to the fullest extent of the law. We will continue to advocate for parent choice, this is and has been the position of the Board of Education and the District.
There are currently legal actions in the California Courts regarding mandates for K-12 around pandemic regulations such as vaccines, masks, and quarantining. The court is scheduled to hear these arguments in November. We will continue to update families as more information becomes available.
We appreciate the respectful communications we have received from families regarding their beliefs (either for or against) current guidelines. While this pandemic has caused a lot of heartbreak and turmoil, one bright spot is that we have more families that are involved and willing to partner with schools for the betterment of the future of our communities, and for that we thank you.