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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the affidavit form for claiming an exemption from |
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required immunizations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 161.0041(d) and (e), Health and Safety |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(d) The department shall develop a blank affidavit form for |
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use in claiming an exemption from a required immunization and make |
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that form available on the department's Internet website and in all |
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public schools [that contains a seal or other security device to |
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prevent reproduction of the form]. The affidavit form shall contain |
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a statement indicating that the person or, if a minor, the person's |
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parent, managing conservator, or guardian understands the benefits |
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and risks of immunizations and the benefits and risks of not being |
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immunized. |
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(e) The department shall maintain a record of the total |
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number of times an affidavit form was accessed on the department's |
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Internet website [forms sent out] each year and shall report that |
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information to the legislature each year. The department may not |
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maintain a record of the names of individuals who download or access |
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[request] an affidavit form under this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 161.0041(c), Health and Safety Code, is |
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repealed. |
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SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall modify |
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the immunization exemption affidavit form as required by Section |
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161.0041, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |