House Bill 953

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-23-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A CHILD WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE ANY SPECIFIC VACCINATION IN ORDER TO ATTEND A SCHOOL IF THE CHILD'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN SUBMITS TO THE SCHOOL A LETTER OR AFFIDAVIT 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 BELIEFS; TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING WITH THE 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR, A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL ACCOMPANY THE LETTER OR AFFIDAVIT SUBMITTED BY THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN, WHICH INCLUDES BOTH A SIGNED ATTESTATION FROM A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER THAT THE HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER PROVIDED THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF THE VACCINATIONS AND THE HEALTH RISKS TO THE CHILD AND TO THE COMMUNITY OF THOSE DISEASES SPECIFIED FOR VACCINATION, AND A WRITTEN STATEMENT SIGNED BY THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN THAT INDICATES THAT THE SIGNER HAS RECEIVED THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-91, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, WHEN THERE IS GOOD CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT A CHILD HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY DISEASE SPECIFIED FOR VACCINATION AND THE CHILD IS NOT VACCINATED AGAINST THAT DISEASE UNDER THE EXEMPTION AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS ACT, TO TEMPORARILY EXCLUDE THAT CHILD FROM ATTENDANCE UNTIL THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER IS SATISFIED THAT THE CHILD IS NO LONGER AT RISK OF DEVELOPING THE DISEASE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Angela Cockerham

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Jan 21 – Feb 5

1. Jan 21Referred to the House committees on Public Health and Human Services and on Education
2. Feb 5Died in committee in the House