Relating to notice of immunization exemptions and providing civil penalties

This bill relates to notice of immunization exemptions. Under current law, all children enrolled in any licensed child care center or elementary or secondary school in the state are required to have certain immunizations, subject to specific religious and health exemptions (exemptions). Local public health departments are not required to include information about exemptions or the requirements for obtaining an exemption in any public communication.183, community colleges, and institutions of higher education under the control of the board of regents are required by statute, rule, or policy to include such information in immunization-related communications. 183. The bill requires local public health departments to include information about exemptions and the requirements for obtaining an exemption in all communications distributed to the public following the recommendation of an immunization by the department of health and human services (HHS). The bill provides for a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation for a failure to comply with the laws of this state, or to adhere to a rule or policy adopted by the department of education or the board of regents relating to information on exemptions. Moneys collected from civil penalties by HHS shall be deposited in the general fund of the state.