Washington state senators on April 17 passed legislation that would make it harder for parents to achieve personal or philosophical exemptions for the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine in children, reports The Washington Post.
The Senate passed the measure in 25-22 vote, with no Republicans supporting the bill. Two Democrats voted against the legislation.
The bill is expected to also win approval in the House. If Gov. Jay Inslee, D, signs the bill into law, Washington would be the first state to remove personal vaccine exemptions in four years, according to The Washington Post. California and Vermont barred personal vaccine exemptions in 2015.
The legislative action comes as Washington battles a severe measles outbreak. As of April 10, the Washington State Department of Health had confirmed 74 measles cases.