Bill > HB503

This bill modifies Alabama's vaccination requirements for K-12 students and public higher education institutions by expanding religious exemption provisions. For K-12 schools, the bill allows parents or guardians to submit a written statement exempting their child from vaccinations or testing without requiring any explanation or third-party certification, based on religious tenets and practices. For public institutions of higher education, the bill mandates that schools provide both a religious and a medical exemption for vaccine and testing requirements. Under the religious exemption, students can submit a written statement declaring their exemption based on religious beliefs without needing to provide additional justification or seek approval from the institution. The medical exemption allows students to submit a written certification from a medical professional stating they are exempt from vaccination or testing. The bill will take effect on October 1, 2025, and aims to provide more flexibility for individuals who have religious objections to vaccinations while maintaining a path for medical exemptions.