SB 610
Relating to medical exemption to mandatory vaccination requirements
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill changes how medical exemptions to mandatory vaccinations for school children and child care center attendees in West Virginia are handled. It removes the commissioner’s authority to grant or deny these exemptions and instead requires a written statement from a treating physician or advanced practice provider to demonstrate that vaccination would be harmful to a child’s health. The bill also eliminates the position of State Immunization Officer.
Key provisions
- Medical exemptions are now determined by a treating physician or advanced practice provider.
- A written statement from a physician or advanced practice provider is required to obtain a medical exemption.
- The commissioner no longer has the authority to grant, renew, deny, suspend, or revoke medical exemptions.
- The position of State Immunization Officer is eliminated.
- Schools and child care centers must accept the written statement as proof of an exemption.
- Penalties apply for providing false immunization certificates.
- Parents or guardians of children who cannot afford vaccines may receive them through county health departments.
- Children can be provisionally enrolled in school while completing required vaccinations.
Who is affected
- Parents and guardians of school-aged children
- School administrators and staff
- Child care center providers and staff
- Physicians and advanced practice providers
- Students attending public, private, and parochial schools and state-regulated child care centers
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