Bill > SB2472

This bill expands existing provisions that allow for religious exemptions from medical examinations, immunizations, vaccinations, and revaccinations, ensuring that these exemptions protect individuals with genuine religious beliefs and practices, not just those affiliated with established churches. Specifically, it amends laws related to school attendance (section 302A-1156), the department of health's rule-making authority (section 321-11), and general vaccination requirements (section 325-34) to broaden the scope of who can claim a religious exemption. The changes remove the requirement that objections must be based on the tenets of an "established church" and instead allow for objections based on a person's or their parent/guardian's "bona fide religious tenets and practices," while still allowing for objections to be overridden if there is a danger of an epidemic.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2472&year=2026