87R8405 EAS-F
 
  By: Leach H.B. No. 3222
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to claiming an exemption from required immunizations for
  school students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 161.0041(c), (d), and (e), Health and
  Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The department shall develop a blank affidavit form to
  be used by a person claiming an exemption from a required
  immunization under this section and make the affidavit form
  available in a printable format on the department's Internet
  website and in all school nurse offices. A person claiming an
  exemption from a required immunization [under this section] may
  also [only] obtain the affidavit form by submitting a written
  request for the affidavit form to the department.  A person may not
  be required to provide any information to obtain a blank affidavit
  form under this subsection.
         (d)  [The department shall develop a blank affidavit form
  that contains a seal or other security device to prevent
  reproduction of the form.] The affidavit form shall contain a
  statement indicating that the person or, if a minor, the person's
  parent, managing conservator, or guardian understands the benefits
  and risks of immunizations and the benefits and risks of not being
  immunized.
         (e)  The department may [shall] maintain a record of the
  total number of times an affidavit form was accessed on the
  department's Internet website or requested under Subsection (c)
  [forms sent out each year and shall report that information to the
  legislature each year]. The department may not maintain a record of
  the names of individuals who download, access, request, or submit
  an affidavit form under this section.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the Department of State Health Services shall modify
  the existing affidavit form required by Section 161.0041, Health
  and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
  school year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.