BACKGROUND:
State lawmakers play an important and historic role in assuring high levels of vaccination coverage through either directly legislating immunization-related policies or assuring that public health has the authority needed to set policies. Many evidence-based public health interventions to decrease vaccine-preventable diseases, such as standing orders, decreasing out of pocket expenses, and school and child care entry requirements are initiated through the state legislative and/or rule making process. State immunization laws pertain to numerous topics including: vaccine financing, insurance coverage mandates, childcare requirements, nursing home requirements, school and college requirements, and health care worker vaccination. Along with key health care partners, state and local immunization staff are often called upon to educate state elected officials on immunization issues.

OBJECTIVE:
As a result of this session, participants will gain insight on how to provide useful information to legislators, and understand the positive impact partners can make in educating state legislators on immunization issues.

METHOD:
The responses of immunization programs and partners to proposed state legislation will be discussed. Examples will be provided of roles that immunization programs and partners played during recent state action on immunization-related legislation including effective strategies for educating state legislators. There will also be discussion of the role that CDC can play in providing technical assistance to state legislatures. The CDC Cooperative Agreement to Educate State Legislators with the Council of State Governments and the projects planned during the next year will be shared.

RESULT:
Lessons learned from state legislative debates will be shared, along with suggestions for how to respond to requests for information from state legislators.

CONCLUSION:
State legislation can have a major impact on vaccination coverage rates. Insight on successful strategies to educate state legislators enables immunization programs and partners to improve the programmatic and technical information provided to state legislators and may lead to better state legislation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants will learn new strategies for educating state legislators about immunizations and how partners can play an important role in managing legislative issues.