Massachusetts lawmakers held a hearing Monday on a number of bills focused on vaccines. One would eliminate the religious exemption for childhood vaccinations to attend school.
More than 400 people signed up to offer their opinions.
Lauren Vitale opposes the removal of the religious exemption, saying it would mean her sons couldn't attend the Boston Public Schools.
"They'll be excluded because our family makes different health choices than the majority of the public," she said. "Personally, I'm compelled by a deeper inclination and mission to seek and use gentler but very effective preventative medicine treatments such as plant medicine, homeopathy, healthy whole foods, lots of fresh air and sunshine."
Taylor Singh, who has children in the Lexington Public Schools, supports the bill.
"The religious exemption is ripe for abuse, jeopardizing the health of our kids," she said. "No major world religious tradition objects to vaccinations."
Connecticut and Maine are among the states that have gotten rid of the religious exemption.
