After a great deal of controversy, a new law has been passed in California that makes vaccinations mandatory for children entering public or private schools, or day care centers. The law, signed by Governor Jerry Brown on June 30, is one of the strictest in the country and will go into effect on July 1, 2016. The state joins Mississippi and West Virginia in prohibiting exemptions for personal or religious beliefs. Now only exemptions for specific medical conditions will be accepted. The required vaccinations include diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, rubella, tetanus, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), and any other disease deemed appropriate by the state Department of Public Health. Parents who choose not to vaccinate may enroll their children in independent study programs or homeschool them.