Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires a parent to obtain a waiver when immunization is contrary to his or her belief.

Highlights:

• Requires parents who choose not to vaccinate their child because it is contrary to their beliefs to obtain a signed affidavit from a health care practitioner that specifies the immunizations the child has received and the ones the child has not received (Sec. 1).

• Requires a health care practitioner to sign an affidavit that confirms that the parent or guardian has received all of the following information (Sec. 1):
• The health risks and benefits of immunization;
• The risks of communicable diseases to the individual in the care of the parent or guardian; and
• The risks of communicable diseases to the community.

• Requires a parent or guardian to sign a written statement indicating that he or she received information regarding immunization from the health care practitioner (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a school or other institution from requiring an individual be immunized prior to admission if the parent or guardian responsible for the care of the individual provides the affidavit from the health care practitioner and the signed written statement by the parent or guardian (Sec. 1).

• Limits the validity of these signed forms to six months for the purposes of admittance into a school or institution requiring immunization (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires a parent to obtain a waiver when immunization is contrary to his or her belief.

Highlights:

• Requires parents who choose not to vaccinate their child because it is contrary to their beliefs to obtain a signed affidavit from a health care practitioner that specifies the immunizations the child has received and the ones the child has not received (Sec. 1).

• Requires a health care practitioner to sign an affidavit that confirms that the parent or guardian has received all of the following information (Sec. 1):
• The health risks and benefits of immunization;
• The risks of communicable diseases to the individual in the care of the parent or guardian; and
• The risks of communicable diseases to the community.

• Requires a parent or guardian to sign a written statement indicating that he or she received information regarding immunization from the health care practitioner (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a school or other institution from requiring an individual be immunized prior to admission if the parent or guardian responsible for the care of the individual provides the affidavit from the health care practitioner and the signed written statement by the parent or guardian (Sec. 1).

• Limits the validity of these signed forms to six months for the purposes of admittance into a school or institution requiring immunization (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text