Bill > A01358

This bill amends the New York public health law to create a new religious exemption for school vaccination requirements. Specifically, the bill allows children to be admitted to and attend school without vaccination certificates if their parent or guardian has "genuine and sincere religious beliefs" that are contrary to vaccination practices. The bill modifies existing law to require health care providers to report the immunization status of children claiming this religious exemption and updates school admission forms to indicate that parents can claim an exemption under this new provision. The legislation adds a ninth subdivision to Section 2164 of the public health law, which means schools cannot require vaccination certificates for children whose parents have sincerely held religious objections to immunizations. The bill removes gender-specific language in existing text (changing "he or she" to "such person") and takes effect immediately upon becoming law. This change provides a pathway for parents to opt out of mandatory school vaccinations based on religious beliefs, potentially impacting public health protocols for school entry.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1358