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Reemergence of Measles causes lawmakers to call for ban of religious vaccine exemptions

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Matt Ryan/WMHT

Now that the Measles are making an unwelcome comeback across the nation, particularly in Rockland County, some downstate lawmakers are pushing a bill that would end all non-medical vaccine exemptions.

Several members of the legislature, including Senator David Carlucci (D- Westchester/Rockland), were joined by Rockland County Executive Ed Day at the Capitol to discuss the crisis in their home area, which has 202 of the almost 700 confirmed cases of the disease. 

Pressed by reporters Assembly members would not confirm they had the necessary votes for passage, only that they are continuing to have conversations.  Governor Cuomo has expressed concern there could be First Amendment issues involved if passed.  Although he said on Monday in Long Island that he didn;t think a religious exemption in this case is "appropriate."