This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to introduce a religious exemption to the mandatory vaccination requirements for school children. Specifically, it adds a new provision that allows a child to be exempt from compulsory immunizations if a certification is presented, signed by a parent or legal guardian, stating that they object to immunization based on sincerely held religious beliefs. This new language is inserted as subsection (j) in the existing law.

In addition to the new exemption, the bill maintains the existing requirements for immunization against various diseases for children entering schools or state-regulated child care centers. It also outlines the responsibilities of health officials, the process for provisional enrollment, and the penalties for providing false immunization certificates. The bill emphasizes the authority of the commissioner and the newly appointed Immunization Officer to grant or deny exemptions based on medical evidence, while also allowing for appeals to the State Health Officer.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-3-4