Senate committee advances bill to create state vaccine advisory council and require insurer coverage for AAP‑recommended vaccines

Senator Jason Klein introduced Senate File 3859, a bill to establish a 14‑member Minnesota science‑based advisory vaccine council to review peer‑reviewed studies and advise the commissioner of health on vaccine schedules and school immunization requirements. Klein told the committee the council would “develop a recommended schedule of vaccines” and that the measure would require insurers in Minnesota to cover immunizations recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The bill, Klein said, would recreate a state advisory body similar to the Minnesota Immunization Practices Advisory Committee that operated from 1991 through 2019 and was later disbanded in favor of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). “That body was disbanded in favor of the federal advisory committee on immunization practices in 2019, but the need returns,” Klein said, arguing the state tool would help when federal and other national guidance diverge.

During discussion, several members asked how the proposed council would consider contraindications and adverse‑event reporting. Senator Abler recounted encounters with families who believed vaccine reactions were not being adequately investigated and asked whether reporting systems such as VAERS were used by the agencies and clinicians evaluating safety. Klein and bill proponents responded that the council would review published medical literature and that practitioners assigned to the council would “review the literature, published in established medical journals” and provide evidence‑based guidance for clinicians and parents.

Senator Bolden offered an A12 author's amendment that removed earlier language requiring the state to defray any resulting premium increases through tax expenditures. Committee members debated that defrayal language but ultimately adopted the A12 amendment. Chair Wicklund then called for a roll‑call vote. Senator Bolden moved that the bill, as amended, be recommended to pass.

On roll call the committee recorded five votes in favor and four opposed; the motion prevailed. The committee recorded the outcome as 5 yes and 4 no and referred the bill as amended to the committee on finance for consideration of fiscal implications.

The committee record shows the A12 amendment was adopted and SF 3859 as amended was passed out of committee and sent to finance. There was no formal public testimony recorded for the bill at this hearing.

The committee will next send the measure to finance for a fiscal note and further review before additional action is scheduled.