BILL NUMBER: S266
SPONSOR: GALLIVAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to an exemption from
certain vaccination requirements for school attendance based upon reli-
gious beliefs
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation restores the ability of families to opt not to have
their child(ren) immunized in order to be admitted or received into a
school or attending a school due to their sincere and religious beliefs,
which are contrary to the requirement for such immunization.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision
9.
Section 2 Subdivision 6 of section 2164 of the public health law, as 9
amended by chapter 35 of the laws of 2019, is amended.
Section 3 Paragraph (f) of subdivision 5 of section 2168 of the public 6
health law, as amended by chapter 35 of the laws of 2019, is amended.
Section 4 identifies effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The State of New York has long protected the religious liberties of its
citizens and in particular has recognized such protections as it relates
to the immunization of children for purposes of enrolling such children
in a public, private, parochial or other school a s required pursuant to
the Public Health Law. While vaccinating one's children is preferable,
the fact of the matter is religious freedom is, in part, the basis upon
which our union was founded and therefore said statutory protection from
the requirement to vaccinate should be an option for the citizens of our
state.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.118/A.6676 Referred to Health
2021-22: S.2677/A.9913 Referred to Health
2019-20: S.7362/A.8676 Referred to Health
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S266: 2164 public health law, 2164(6) public health law, 2168 public health law, 2168(5) public health law