GRACE Act
Sponsored By: Senator Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced
Summary
Protects religious exemptions to school vaccination requirements. This bill would bar elementary and secondary schools, and local or state education agencies, from receiving federal education funds if they enforce vaccine mandates without a policy that lets individuals or parents of children under 18 claim a sincerely held religious exemption without providing any documentation.
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- Families: Parents or guardians could claim a religious exemption for any child under 18 without submitting supporting documents.
- Students and workers: Students and staff would be able to enroll, attend, participate in athletics, or work while asserting a sincerely held religious belief instead of meeting vaccination requirements.
- Schools and agencies: Elementary and secondary schools, local education agencies, and state education agencies would have to adopt a policy allowing undocumented religious exemptions or risk losing federal education funds.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Religious vaccine exemptions for K-12
If enacted, schools and school agencies that get Federal education funds would have to allow a religious exemption to any vaccine rule without requiring documentation. Parents or guardians could assert the exemption for children under 18, and adults could assert it for themselves. This would cover vaccine rules tied to enrollment, attendance, sports, other student activities, or employment. The rule would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov