S.B. No. 407 amends the Health and Safety Code to establish clearer guidelines regarding vaccine exemptions for individuals covered under vaccine preventable disease policies at certain health care facilities. The bill mandates that these policies must include procedures allowing individuals to be exempt from required vaccines based on reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs. Additionally, it explicitly states that health care facilities cannot reject such exemptions for any reason.

The bill emphasizes the protection of individual rights concerning vaccine exemptions, reinforcing the notion that personal beliefs should be respected in the context of health care policies. The legislation is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the Texas Legislature; otherwise, it will become effective on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 224.002 (Health and Safety Code 224)