Following multiple cases of measles in the state of California, two state legislators are leading the movement to remove the personal and religious belief clause that allows parents not to vaccinate their children.

According to the California Senate, Senator Ben Allen and Senator Richard Pan announced plans to prioritize this bill after over 99 reported cases of measles in California.

According to a state legislative staffer, a formal bill most be proposed by Feb. 27 in order to be refered to a policy committee.

While state wide rates of non vaccinated students sit at around ten percent according to a study released by the State of California, rates in the Palo Alto Unified School District fall between zero percent at Duveneck Elementary School to nine percent at Walter Hays Elementary School.

Following two detected cases of measles in the Santa Clara county, the Palo Alto Unified School District is taking precautionary measures in order to ensure the safety of its students in the upcoming months.

According to Tabitha Kappeler Hurley, PAUSD’s communications coordinator, students without vaccinations may be asked to sit out certain activities in order to protect the health of the other students.

“We want to make parents aware of this information in order to catch cases early,” Kappeler Hurley said.

Kappeler Hurley also recommended that parents ensure their children are up-to-date on vaccinations and boosters to reduce disease risk.