SACRAMENTO—A California state lawmaker proposed on Jan. 24 to eliminate personal belief exemptions and expand upon a state COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all school students. “We have an opportunity here to keep kids safe,” Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) said Monday during a California Medical Association news conference, where the legislator and pediatrician announced details of the Keep Schools Open and Safe Act. “As a pediatrician, parent and legislator, I am committed to giving the public confidence and certainty that we are working to prevent or slow down the next coronavirus surge,” Pan said. “Legislators have the ability to pass laws to make our communities safe, including increasing vaccination rates to keep schools open and safe.” Under state law, personal belief exemptions must be allowed for any newly required childhood vaccine unless the legislature passes a law banning them. Pan said closing the personal belief exemption loophole for the “safe and effective” …