PIERRE — Gov. Kristi Noem says she opposes a bill eliminating the vaccination requirement for students.

"Vaccinations have literally saved millions of lives over the years. That is not something that I can support," she said during her weekly press conference.

The House Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on House Bill 1235 at 7:45 a.m. CT on Tuesday at the Capitol. Noem said her office will oppose the bill during the hearing.

House Majority Leader Lee Qualm, R-Platte, is the prime sponsor of the bill, and 13 legislators have signed on as co-sponsors.

The bill proposes that no student entering a public or nonpublic early education program, school or post-secondary school is required to have immunizations or medical procedures prior to entering school. It also states that no one can be discriminated against if they aren't immunized.

Any school, medical provider or person who forces someone to be immunized could be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which comes with a maximum sentence of one year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.