Today, Rep. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) filed HB 1215 which prevents the vaccine from being made mandatory, and he has prepared a rider to the state budget to prevent any funding from going toward a mandatory HPV vaccination. In addition to those pieces of legislation, Rep. Hughes joined a broad coalition of legislators in signing a letter to the Governor asking him to rescind his Executive Order.

"I support the Governor, and we agree on a lot. I think this Executive Order is a mistake," said Rep. Hughes. "I oppose mandatory HPV vaccinations for girls and I feel strongly that parents, not the government, should make decisions on whether a child should receive a vaccination or other medical treatment. Based on the large number of calls and emails I'm receiving, it is clear East Texans have serious concerns about this vaccine and want the Legislature to have an open debate about requiring this of little girls. And they are right. There are serious questions in the medical community about the safety and effectiveness of this brand new drug. A matter this sensitive that strikes at the very heart of parental rights needs to be fully debated in the Legislature before any decision is made."

Rep. Bryan Hughes has represented Camp, Harrison, Upshur & Wood Counties in the Texas House of Representatives since 2003. He is Vice Chairman of the Rural Caucus and serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Human Services Committee.