A proposal to allow parents to exempt their children from vaccinations drew passionate debate before a Kansas House committee.

A hearing Wednesday pitted parents wanting to make decisions about their children’s medical care against public health advocates who contend mandatory vaccinations help stop diseases.

The Kansas City Star reports the bill would expand current Kansas law, which allows parents to opt out of the immunizations if they jeopardize a child’s life or for religious reasons.

State epidemiologist Charles Hunt told legislators that science has shown that mandatory vaccines help stop the spread of disease.

But several parents said they want to decide whether their children should be vaccinated. Some said their children became ill after being vaccinated.

The committee took no action on the bill.