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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to claiming an exemption from required immunizations for |
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public school students. |
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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 to |
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be used by a person claiming an exemption from a required |
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immunization and make that form available on the department's |
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Internet website and in all public schools [that contains a seal or
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other security device to prevent reproduction of the form]. The |
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affidavit form shall contain a statement indicating that the person |
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or, if a minor, the person's parent, managing conservator, or |
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guardian understands the benefits and risks of immunizations and |
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the benefits and risks of not being immunized. |
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(e) [The department shall maintain a record of the total
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number of affidavit 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 number of affidavit forms submitted or the |
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names of individuals who submit [request] an affidavit form under |
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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 existing affidavit form required by Section 161.0041, Health |
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and Safety Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 |
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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, 2019. |