This bill modifies the childhood immunization requirements by limiting them to specific diseases as outlined in the statute. It removes the previous authority of the commissioner of health and human services to adopt rules for additional immunizations beyond those explicitly listed. The diseases that must be included in immunization requirements are specified as diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, and tetanus. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the rules requiring vaccinations for varicella, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) will remain in effect until their expiration date of June 30, 2026.

Furthermore, the bill repeals the provision that allowed the commissioner to establish rules for other communicable diseases under the existing immunization requirements. This change aims to streamline the immunization process by clearly defining the diseases that require vaccination and eliminating the flexibility previously held by the commissioner to add more diseases to the list. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 141-C:20-a, 141-C:6