Signed by Governor Janet Mills

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits non-medical exemptions for vaccinations for public school attendance.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to remove any rules exempting anyone from immunization requirements because of their religious or philosophical beliefs (Sec. 5). 

• Requires that the rules adopted provide that a student who is covered by an individualized education plan on the effective date of this Act and has elected a philosophical or religious exemption from immunization requirements on or before the effective date of this Act, may continue to attend school under that student’s existing exemption as long as (Sec. 5): 

• The parent or guardian of the student provides a statement from an appropriate medical professional that they have consulted with the parent or guardian and have made that parent or guardian aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize; or

• If the student is 18 years of age or older, the student provides a statement from an appropriate medical professional that they have consulted with that student and have made the student aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize. 

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt rules that include a requirement that every two years each licensee, administrator, or other staff member of a nursery school who provides care for children, be declared free from communicable diseases by a licensed physician (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits non-medical exemptions for vaccinations for public school attendance.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to remove any rules exempting anyone from immunization requirements because of their religious or philosophical beliefs (Sec. 5). 

• Requires that the rules adopted provide that a student who is covered by an individualized education plan on the effective date of this Act and has elected a philosophical or religious exemption from immunization requirements on or before the effective date of this Act, may continue to attend school under that student’s existing exemption as long as (Sec. 5): 

• The parent or guardian of the student provides a statement from an appropriate medical professional that they have consulted with the parent or guardian and have made that parent or guardian aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize; or

• If the student is 18 years of age or older, the student provides a statement from an appropriate medical professional that they have consulted with that student and have made the student aware of the risks and benefits associated with the choice to immunize. 

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt rules that include a requirement that every two years each licensee, administrator, or other staff member of a nursery school who provides care for children, be declared free from communicable diseases by a licensed physician (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text