SB2154 - School vaccinations; authorize exemption on religious grounds.

1 Co-Sponsor

An Act To Amend Section 41-23-37, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Provide That A Child Shall Be Exempt From The Vaccine Requirements In Order To Attend School If The Parent Or Guardian Or Adult Who Has Assumed Responsibility For The Child's Care And Custody In The Case Of A Minor, Or The Child Seeking Admission If An Emancipated Minor, Submits To Their County Health Department A Completed Religious Exemption Request That Documents Which Required Vaccinations Have Been Given, And Which Vaccinations Have Not Been Given On The Basis That They Are Contrary To His Or Her Religious Beliefs; To Provide That The County Health Department Shall Submit The Request To The State Department Of Health; To Require The State Department Of Health To Accept And Issue A Certificate Of Religious Exemption If The Request Includes All Of The Required Components; To Provide That The State Department Of Health Shall Promulgate A Religious Exemption Request Form That Must Include Certain Statements; To Provide That A Child May Still Be Excluded From School If Any Vaccine-preventable Disease For Which The Child Has Not Been Immunized Is Occurring Or Threatening To Occur In The Community; To Provide That The Child Shall Not Return To School Until The Outbreak Has Been Resolved And The Department Of Health Approves The Return To School; And For Related Purposes.