This bill amends West Virginia's Code regarding compulsory immunizations for school children, specifically focusing on the roles of the State Health Officer and the procedures for exemptions. It replaces the term "commissioner" with "State Health Officer" throughout the relevant section, clarifying that the State Health Officer is responsible for providing parents with information on required immunizations at the time of a child's birth. The bill also specifies that children must be immunized against a list of diseases before being admitted to public schools or state-regulated child care centers, with the possibility of provisional enrollment under certain conditions.

Additionally, the bill outlines the exemption process for vaccinations, stating that a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner can provide written statements for exemptions if immunizations are deemed detrimental to a child's health. It ensures that these medical professionals will not face disciplinary actions for issuing such statements. The bill also removes the previous authority of the commissioner to grant exemptions and instead delegates this responsibility to the State Health Officer, who may appoint an Immunization Officer to assist in the process. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the immunization requirements and clarify the roles of health officials in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-3-4