Bill > A07016

This bill requires that individuals in parental relation to a child who refuse to immunize that child for religious reasons must provide the child's school with an affidavit signed by a physician; this affidavit must state that the physician has explained to the parent(s) or guardian the medical risks to the child and to others if the child is not immunized, based on information from the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This provision amends existing Public Health Law section 2164, which currently allows for religious exemptions from mandatory immunizations for school attendance, by adding this new physician consultation requirement as a prerequisite for such exemptions.