The bill amends West Virginia's Code regarding compulsory immunizations for school children, specifically in section 16-3-4. It mandates that children must be immunized against several diseases, including chickenpox, hepatitis B, and measles, before being admitted to public, private, or parochial schools, or state-regulated child care centers. The bill introduces a provision allowing for religious exemptions, whereby parents or guardians can submit a notarized Certificate of Religious Exemption Form to the school, stating that immunizations conflict with their religious beliefs.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for obtaining exemptions based on medical contraindications, requiring a licensed physician's certification. It also establishes the role of an Immunization Officer, who will be responsible for making exemption determinations and whose decisions can be appealed to the State Health Officer. The bill includes penalties for physicians who provide false immunization certificates, reinforcing the importance of compliance with immunization laws while accommodating religious beliefs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-3-4