Senator Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, and State Rep. Jim Keffer today called on Governor Rick Perry to rescind Executive Order RP65 requiring all girls to be vaccinated against the Human Pappilomaviros, a sexually transmitted disease, before entering the sixth grade.

"This is a decision that should not be made by one person. Citizens have been left out of the process, and I respectfully call on the governor to rescind this emergency order so that we can hold legislative hearings on bills that have already been filed on this very issue," Senator Nelson, who chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said. "Executive orders should be used in extreme circumstances, during times of emergency and when the Legislature is not in session. We need to be afforded the opportunity to carefully study the how this would affect our budget, parental rights, and most importantly, the health of our daughters."

Executive Order RP65, issued February 2, 2007, directs that all girls entering the sixth grade receive an immunization against the Human Pappilomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease. It gives parents the right to opt out via online applications.

Senator Nelson also announced that she and Representative Keffer, who chairs the House Ways & Means Committee, will request that the Attorney General issue an opinion on the legality of Executive Order RP65.