REFERENCE TITLE: schools; immunization; religious exemption.

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-fourth Legislature

First Regular Session

2019

 

 

 

SB 1114

 

Introduced by

Senator Boyer: Representative Barto

 

 

AN ACT

 

amending section 15‑873, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to immunization exemptions.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Section 15-873, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE15-873.  Exemptions; nonattendance during outbreak

A.  Documentary proof is not required for a pupil to be admitted to school if one of the following occurs:

1.  The parent or guardian of the pupil submits a signed statement to the school administrator stating that the parent or guardian has received information about immunizations provided by the department of health services and understands the risks and benefits of immunizations and the potential risks of nonimmunization and that due to personal beliefs, the parent or guardian does not consent to the immunization of the pupil.  a pupil at any level or grade through twelfth grade is eligible for a religious exemption pursuant to this paragraph.

2.  The school administrator receives written certification that is signed by the parent or guardian and by a physician or a registered nurse practitioner, that states that one or more of the required immunizations may be detrimental to the pupil's health and that indicates the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstance that precludes immunization.

B.  An exemption pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section is only valid during the duration of the circumstance or condition that precludes immunization.

C.  Pupils who lack documentary proof of immunization shall not attend school during outbreak periods of communicable immunization‑preventable diseases as determined by the department of health services or local health department.  The department of health services or local health department shall transmit notice of this determination to the school administrator who is responsible for the exclusion of the pupils. END_STATUTE