“Pro-choice” vaccination activists question the timing of Monning appointment.

On April 17, State Sen. Bill Monning, D-Carmel, hosted a reception at the Monterey District office he shares with Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Scotts Valley, to honor Seaside activist Helen Rucker and showcase the photography of Steve Zmak.

But when Monning invited questions, he got an earful from Felton resident Joni Martin. She opposes SB 277, a bill to remove the “personal beliefs” exemption allowing parents to opt out of fully vaccinating their kids before enrolling them in school.

Monning voted for SB 277 in the Senate Health Committee, which passed it 6-2 April 8. Last week, Monning was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Senate Education Committee, which was expected to vote on the bill April 22 (past the Weekly’s deadline).

The move raised eyebrows among anti-SB 277 activists, who questioned the timing of Monning’s appointment.

But Monning says it’s coincidental. “I’m not being appointed just for the purpose of this hearing,” he says.

Amendments to the bill are being negotiated, but he’s still leaning toward SB 277.

“I don’t think it’s a secret,” Monning says. “When individual choice can impact the rights of somebody else’s child who might have an immunodeficiency disease, it goes beyond the realm of personal choice.”

Martin’s still hoping Monning will vote against it. “There is no justification that I have seen for this bill that holds up to scrutiny and research,” she writes by email.

If the Education Committee passes SB 277, it heads next to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Nic Coury contributed to this report.