H.B. No. 3304 introduces substantial changes to vaccination requirements in Texas, particularly by prohibiting vaccination mandates for individuals in both public and private educational institutions, including higher education. The bill amends the Education Code to eliminate the requirement for proof of immunizations for school enrollment, instead focusing on recommended immunizations. It specifies that no educational institution may require immunizations for admission or attendance and mandates the Department of State Health Services to prepare a list of recommended immunizations. Additionally, it protects parents or guardians from penalties for choosing not to vaccinate their children.

The bill also modifies the vaccination policy for employees at child-care facilities by shifting from a requirement to an encouragement of vaccinations based on the employees' risk levels. It mandates that facilities maintain written or electronic immunization records for employees and prohibits discrimination against those who decline recommended vaccines, as long as they adhere to safety protocols. Furthermore, the bill repeals several sections of the Education Code and other statutes related to vaccination policies, streamlining the legal framework for vaccine-preventable diseases in child-care settings. Facilities must update their policies by January 1, 2026, with the changes taking effect for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 25.002, Education Code 38.001, Education Code 38.019, Education Code 51.933, Family Code 264.1076, Health and Safety Code 12.033, Health and Safety Code 81.082, Health and Safety Code 81.085, Health and Safety Code 161.0051, Health and Safety Code 161.0074, Health and Safety Code 161.0105, Health and Safety Code 161.001, Human Resources Code 31.0031, Human Resources Code 42.043, Human Resources Code 42.04305 (Education Code 51, Health and Safety Code 81, Family Code 264, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 161, Health and Safety Code 12, Education Code 38, Human Resources Code 31, Education Code 25)