The bill aims to amend existing laws in West Virginia regarding immunization requirements for students in public and private schools. It specifies that immunization against certain diseases is compulsory for children entering public schools and state-regulated child care centers, while allowing for voluntary immunization for students in private schools. The bill introduces new language clarifying that "public schools" are those under the supervision of the West Virginia Board of Education and removes references to immunization requirements for private and parochial schools, thereby allowing these institutions to set their own policies regarding vaccinations.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of health officials and school personnel in reporting immunization status and managing exemptions. It establishes a process for requesting exemptions based on medical contraindications, which must be certified by a licensed physician. The bill also includes provisions for the appointment of an Immunization Officer to oversee exemption requests and appeals, while maintaining penalties for providing false immunization certificates. Overall, the legislation seeks to balance public health requirements with the autonomy of private educational institutions regarding immunization policies.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-3-4, 18-28-2, 18-28-6